Imaging apparatus and method for controlling the same

ABSTRACT

An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture an image of an object, a mechanical shutter including a second curtain and a second-curtain holding mechanism configured to electromagnetically hold the second curtain at an initial position prior to a travel, a first temperature sensor disposed within a predetermined range from the second-curtain holding mechanism, a second temperature sensor disposed outside the predetermined range from the second-curtain holding mechanism, a determination unit configured to determine an exposure time for the image sensor according to a brightness of the object, an adjustment unit configured to adjust the exposure time if a temperature difference between temperatures detected by the first and second temperature sensors is greater than a predetermined threshold, and an exposure control unit configured to perform exposure control for the image sensor based on the exposure time adjusted by the adjustment unit if the temperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and a method forcontrol the imaging apparatus, and more particularly relates to animaging apparatus including a mechanical shutter and a control methodfor the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

As discussed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-26895, adirect-holding type focal-plane shutter holds first and second curtainsof a shutter in a charge state by energizing electromagnetscorresponding to the first and second curtains and controls an exposuretime by successively stopping energizing respective electromagnets.

As discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-283897,there is a direct-holding type focal-plane shutter that can reduceelectric power consumption by changing a power voltage duringenergization control for the electromagnets.

Furthermore, as discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.58-149027, an electromagnetically-driven shutter includes a temperaturedetector that measures the temperature of a shutter blade driving coiland a reference voltage generation circuit that generates a correctedreference voltage according to a temperature change in the shutter bladedriving coil. The exposure time is appropriately controlled based on thecorrected reference voltage.

Furthermore, as discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2001-215555 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-23220,there is a conventional camera including an image sensor (e.g., a chargecoupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor(CMOS) sensor) that enables a user to view an object displayed on amonitor (e.g., liquid crystal display (LCD)) in a state where a firstcurtain opens an aperture of the shutter while a second curtain iscontinuously held. This function is generally referred to as “electronicviewfinder (EVF)”, and an image displayed via the EVF is referred to as“live view.”

However, if the focal-plane shutter discussed in Japanese Utility ModelPublication No. 6-26895 is incorporated in an imaging apparatus havingan EVF discussed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2001-215555 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-23220, thefollowing problems arise.

A monitor display, when executed, requires continuously energizing theelectromagnet that holds the second curtain. Therefore, not onlyelectric power consumption increases but also the departure timing ofthe electromagnet changes due to heat generation in the electromagnet.Thus, the accuracy in exposure control deteriorates. Furthermore, for asimilar reason, the accuracy in exposure control deteriorates in a bulbshooting operation, which requires a long time exposure.

The electric power consumption and heat generation in the electromagnetcan be reduced if the focal-plane shutter discussed in Japanese PatentApplication Laid-Open No. 2005-283897 is used. However, the costincreases because a dedicated circuit is required to switch the voltageapplied to the electromagnet. Furthermore, the departure timing of theelectromagnet changes if the electromagnet generates heat regardless ofpower voltage control.

Furthermore, the electromagnetically-driven shutter discussed inJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 58-149027 can stabilize theaccuracy in exposure control based on a voltage correction, consideringheat generation in the coil, by detecting the temperature of the shutterblade driving coil.

However, the above-described electromagnetically-driven shutter requiresa dedicated temperature detector and a circuit that can correct thecontrol voltage. Accordingly, the cost increases. Furthermore, the timeavailable for switching the voltage is short and insufficient if theshutter operates in a high-speed shooting operation. Thus, actualapplication of the technique discussed in Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open No. 58-149027 is substantially limited to a low-speed shootingoperation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are directed to animaging apparatus that includes a mechanical shutter to perform ashooting operation and of which is capable of stabilizing exposureaccuracy.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an imagingapparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture an image of anobject; a mechanical shutter including a second curtain and asecond-curtain holding mechanism configured to electromagnetically holdthe second curtain at an initial position prior to a travel; a firsttemperature sensor disposed within a predetermined range from thesecond-curtain holding mechanism and configured to measure temperature;a second temperature sensor disposed outside the predetermined rangefrom the second-curtain holding mechanism and configured to measuretemperature; a determination unit configured to determine an exposuretime for the image sensor according to a brightness of the object; anadjustment unit configured to adjust the exposure time determined by thedetermination unit if a temperature difference between temperaturesdetected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperaturesensor is greater than a predetermined threshold; and an exposurecontrol unit configured to perform exposure control for the image sensorbased on the exposure time adjusted by the adjustment unit if thetemperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an imagingapparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture an image of anobject to generate an electric signal; a mechanical shutter including asecond curtain and a second-curtain holding mechanism configured toelectromagnetically hold the second curtain at an initial position priorto a travel; a first temperature sensor disposed within a predeterminedrange from the second-curtain holding mechanism and configured tomeasure temperature; a second temperature sensor disposed outside thepredetermined range from the second-curtain holding mechanism andconfigured to measure temperature; an image processing circuitconfigured to perform a gain correction using a predetermined gain valuefor the electric signal generated by the image sensor; and an adjustmentunit configured to adjust the gain value used in the image processingcircuit according to a temperature difference between temperaturesdetected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperaturesensor if the temperature difference is greater than a predeterminedthreshold.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method isprovided for controlling an imaging apparatus including an image sensorconfigured to capture an image of an object, a mechanical shutterincluding a second curtain and a second-curtain holding mechanismconfigured to electromagnetically hold the second curtain at an initialposition prior to a travel, a first temperature sensor disposed within apredetermined range from the second-curtain holding mechanism andconfigured to measure temperature, and a second temperature sensordisposed outside the predetermined range from the second-curtain holdingmechanism and configured to measure temperature. The method includesdetermining an exposure time for the image sensor according to abrightness of the object; adjusting the determined exposure time if atemperature difference between temperatures detected by the firsttemperature sensor and the second temperature sensor is greater than apredetermined threshold; and performing exposure control for the imagesensor based on the adjusted exposure time if the temperature differenceis greater than the predetermined threshold.

Furthermore, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, amethod is provided for controlling an imaging apparatus including animage sensor configured to capture an image of an object to generate anelectric signal, a mechanical shutter including a second curtain and asecond-curtain holding mechanism configured to electromagnetically holdthe second curtain at an initial position prior to a travel, a firsttemperature sensor disposed within a predetermined range from thesecond-curtain holding mechanism and configured to measure temperature,and a second temperature sensor disposed outside the predetermined rangefrom the second-curtain holding mechanism and configured to measuretemperature. The method includes performing a gain correction using apredetermined gain value for the electric signal generated by the imagesensor, and adjusting the gain value to be used for gain correctionaccording to a temperature difference between temperatures detected bythe first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor if thetemperature difference is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Still yet, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, animaging apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture animage of an object; a mechanical shutter including a second curtain anda second-curtain holding mechanism configured to electromagneticallyhold the second curtain at an initial position prior to a travel; adetermination unit configured to determine an exposure time for theimage sensor according to a brightness of the object; a time measurementunit configured to measure an energization time for energizing thesecond-curtain holding mechanism and an elapsed time between stoppage ofenergization to the second-curtain holding mechanism and restart ofenergization to the second-curtain holding mechanism; an exposure timeadjustment unit configured to adjust the exposure time determined by thedetermination unit if a difference value between the energization timeand the elapsed time is greater than a predetermined threshold; and anexposure control unit configured to perform exposure control for theimage sensor based on the exposure time determined by the determinationunit if the difference value is not greater than the predeterminedthreshold, and based on the exposure time adjusted by the exposure timeadjustment unit if the difference value is greater than thepredetermined threshold.

Moreover, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, animaging apparatus includes an image sensor configured to capture animage of an object to generate an electric signal; a mechanical shutterincluding a second curtain and a second-curtain holding mechanismconfigured to electromagnetically hold the second curtain at an initialposition prior to a travel; a determination unit configured to determinean exposure time for the image sensor according to a brightness of theobject; an image processing circuit configured to perform gaincorrection using a predetermined gain value for the electric signalgenerated by the image sensor; a time measurement unit configured tomeasure an energization time for energizing the second-curtain holdingmechanism and an elapsed time between stoppage of energization to thesecond-curtain holding mechanism and restart of energization to thesecond-curtain holding mechanism; and a gain adjustment unit configuredto adjust the gain value used in the image processing circuit accordingto a difference value between the energization time and the elapsed timeif the difference value is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Further features and aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of exemplaryembodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments and featuresof the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain atleast some of the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration ofan imaging apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating a charge completion state of afocal-plane shutter according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a pre-travel standby state of thefocal-plane shutter according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating a first-curtain travel completionstate of the focal-plane shutter according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating a second-curtain travel completionstate of the focal-plane shutter according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a mounting state of the focal-planeshutter according to a first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example shutter control operationin an ordinary shooting mode for the focal-plane shutter according tothe first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example shutter control operationin a live view mode for the focal-plane shutter according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a time diagram illustrating example voltage control for amechanical first-curtain and a mechanical second-curtain of thefocal-plane shutter in the ordinary shooting mode according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a time diagram illustrating example voltage control for themechanical first-curtain and the mechanical second-curtain of thefocal-plane shutter in the live view mode according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a time diagram illustrating example voltage control for themechanical first-curtain and the mechanical second-curtain of thefocal-plane shutter and example control for an image sensor (electronicfirst-curtain) in the live view mode according to the first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a temperaturedifference ΔT in the focal-plane shutter and a control time correctionamount CΔT for a mechanical shutter according to the first exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a graph illustrating a relationship between a temperaturedifference ΔTe in the focal-plane shutter and a control time correctionamount CΔTe for the electronic first-curtain according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating first-curtain temperature Ts,second-curtain temperature Ta, and temperature difference ΔT that changeafter starting a live view operation of the focal-plane shutteraccording to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating the control time correction amount CΔTthat changes after starting the live view operation of the focal-planeshutter according to the first exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating the second-curtain temperature Ta, thetemperature difference ΔTe, and the control time correction amount CΔTein respective ambient temperatures, which change after starting the liveview operation of the focal-plane shutter according to the firstexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example shutter control operationin the ordinary shooting mode for the focal-plane shutter according to asecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example shutter control operationin the live view mode for the focal-plane shutter according to thesecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an example shutter control operationin a live view cancelled state for the focal-plane shutter according tothe second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a time diagram illustrating example voltage control for themechanical first-curtain and the mechanical second-curtain of thefocal-plane shutter in the ordinary shooting mode according to thesecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a time diagram illustrating example voltage control for themechanical first-curtain and the mechanical second-curtain of thefocal-plane shutter in the live view mode according to the secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a time diagram illustrating example voltage control for themechanical first-curtain and the mechanical second-curtain of thefocal-plane shutter and example control for the image sensor (electronicfirst-curtain) in the live view mode according to the second exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate example energization time and exampledeenergization time (elapsed time) for the second curtain coil in theordinary shooting mode of the focal-plane shutter according to thesecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate example energization time and exampledeenergization time (elapsed time) for the second curtain coil in thelive view mode of the focal-plane shutter according to the secondexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a graph illustrating the temperature of the second curtaincoil that changes after starting energizing the second curtain coil inthe focal-plane shutter according to the second exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 26 is a graph illustrating correction amounts α(t) and β(t) for theshutter control time (shutter operation lag) that change according tothe energization time for the second curtain coil and a differencebetween the energization time for the second curtain coil and an elapsedtime (i.e., time interval from stoppage of energization to restart ofenergization to the second curtain coil) in the focal-plane shutteraccording to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following description of exemplary embodiments is illustrative innature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, itsapplication, or uses. It is noted that throughout the specification,similar reference numerals and letters refer to similar items in thefollowing figures, and thus once an item is described in one figure, itmay not be discussed for following figures. Exemplary embodiments willbe described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First Exemplary Embodiment

Constituent components described in an exemplary embodiment havedimensions, shapes, and mutual positional relationships, which can beappropriately modified according to an apparatus to which the presentinvention is applied or according to other conditions. Therefore, thepresent invention is not limited to each example.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example imaging systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, whichincludes a camera body 100 and a lens unit 300. The lens unit 300 isdetachable from the camera body 100. The lens unit 300 is aninterchangeable lens unit that includes a focal length changingmechanism and a focusing mechanism (not illustrated).

The lens unit 300 includes an optical lens 310, a diaphragm 312, and alens mount 306. The lens mount 306 can engage with a camera mount 106 ofthe camera body 100. For example, both the lens mount 306 and the cameramount 106 are flange type. The lens unit 300 can be attached to thecamera body 100 by mechanically engaging the lens mount 306 with thecamera mount 106.

The lens unit 300 includes a lens signal contact 322, which isconnectable with a camera signal contact 122 of the camera body 100 toprovide an electric path (and/or a communication path) between the lensunit 300 and the camera body 100. When the lens signal contact 322 andthe camera signal contact 122 are connected, the camera body 100 and thelens unit 300 can transmit/receive control signals, state signals, anddata signals with each other or supply electric power for variousvoltage controls. In an exemplary embodiment, the camera body 100 andthe lens unit 300 can perform optical communications, speechcommunications in addition to the electric communications via the lenssignal contact 322 and the camera signal contact 122.

A diaphragm control unit 340 controls the diaphragm 312 based onphotometric information supplied from a photometry control unit 46 whilecooperating with a shutter control unit 40 that controls a shutter 12 ofthe camera body 100. A focus control unit 342 controls the focal lengthchanging mechanism of the optical lens 310 for focus adjustmentoperation.

A lens system control circuit 350 performs overall control for the lensunit 300. The lens system control circuit 350 includes a memory thatstores operation constants, parameters, and programs. Furthermore, thelens system control circuit 350 includes a nonvolatile memory thatstores identification information (e.g., unique number allocated to thelens unit 300), management information, functional information (e.g.,opened diaphragm value (full-aperture value), minimum aperture value,and focal length), and present or past setting values.

The diaphragm control unit 340, the focus control unit 342, and the lenssystem control circuit 350 can communicate with the camera body 100 viaan interface (I/F) 320 and the lens signal contact 322. The camera body100 includes a lens attachment/detachment detection unit 124 that candetect attachment/detachment of the lens unit 300.

The camera body 100 includes the lens mount 106, via which the camerabody 100 can be mechanically united with the lens unit 300. The lensattachment/detachment detection unit 124 generates a detection signal inresponse to attachment/detachment of the lens unit 300. A system controlcircuit 50 receives the detection signal generated by the lensattachment/detachment detection unit 124. Two mirrors 130 and 132 guideincident light from the optical lens 310 to an optical finder 104according to the single lens reflex mechanism.

The mirror 130 is a rotary quick return mirror, although it can bereplaced with a half mirror. The quick return mirror 130, in a mirrordown state (i.e., a state illustrated in FIG. 1), reflects light havingpassing through the optical lens 310 (i.e., incident light) upward. Themirror 132 guides the incident light toward the optical finder 104 thatenables a user to confirm an object image. The mirror 132 can bereplaced with a pentagonal prism.

When the quick return mirror 130 is in a mirror up state (notillustrated), the incident light is not reflected by the quick returnmirror 130 and is guided toward an image sensor 14 via the mechanicalshutter 12 controlled by the shutter control unit 40. In this manner,the quick return mirror 130 can switch the path of incident light. Ifthe mirror 130 is a stationary-type half mirror, the mirror 130 canseparate the incident light into a beam advancing toward the mirror 132and a beam advancing toward the image sensor 14. According to anexemplary embodiment, the mechanical shutter 12 is a focal-plane shutterthat includes a first curtain and a second curtain.

The image sensor 14 converts an optical image formed on its imagingsurface into electric charge to generate an electric signalcorresponding to the electric charge. The image sensor 14 canelectronically configure a first curtain when it performs reset scanningto reset the converted electric charge. In the following description,the first curtain realized by the reset scanning is referred to as“electronic first-curtain.” The first curtain and the second curtain ofthe mechanical shutter 12 are simply referred to as “first curtain” (or“mechanical first-curtain”) and “second curtain” (or “mechanicalsecond-curtain”).

An analog-to-digital (A/D) converter 16 converts an analog signalgenerated by the image sensor 14 into a digital signal (hereinafter,referred to “image data”). A timing generation circuit 18 supplies aclock signal or a control signal to the image sensor 14, the A/Dconverter 16, and a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 26. The memorycontrol circuit 22 and the system control circuit 50 can control thetiming generation circuit 18.

The A/D converter 16 converts an electric signal generated by the imagesensor 14 into image data and outputs the image data to an imageprocessing circuit 20 or the memory control circuit 22. The imageprocessing circuit 20 performs predetermined image processing (e.g.,gain correction, pixel interpolation processing, and color conversionprocessing) on image data supplied from the A/D converter 16 or imagedata supplied from the memory control circuit 22.

The memory control circuit 22 controls the A/D converter 16, the timinggeneration circuit 18, the image processing circuit 20, an image displaymemory 24, the D/A converter 26, a memory 30, and acompression/expansion circuit 32. Furthermore, the memory controlcircuit 22 performs processing for writing image data directly inputfrom the A/D converter 16 into the memory 30 or the image display memory24 and also performs processing for reading image data from the memory30 or the image display memory 24.

An image display unit 28 is, for example, a thin film transistor (TFT)type liquid crystal display (LCD). The image display memory 24 storesimage data, which can be displayed on the image display unit 28. Thememory control circuit 22 reads image data from the image display memory24 and sends the read image data via the D/A converter 26 to the imagedisplay unit 28, which displays an image based on the captured imagedata. The image display unit 28 can realize an electronic viewfinder(EVF) by sequentially displaying captured image data. Furthermore, thesystem control circuit 50 can perform turning on/off control for theimage display unit 28. The image display unit 28, if in a turned-offstate, displays no image on its screen and, therefore, electric powerconsumption for the camera body 100 can be reduced.

The memory 30 stores image data of captured images. The memory 30 has astorage capacity to store image data corresponding to a predeterminednumber of images. Furthermore, the memory 30 functions as work area forthe system control circuit 50. The compression/expansion circuit 32compresses or expands image data according to a compression method(e.g., adaptive discrete cosine transform (ADCT) technique). Thecompression/expansion circuit 32 performs compression processing orexpansion processing on image data read from the memory 30 and writesthe processed data into the memory 30.

The system control circuit 50, including a central processing unit(CPU), performs overall control for the camera body 100. The systemcontrol circuit 50 refers to program(s), constants, and parameter datastored in a memory 52 for the control of the camera body 100.

An example control operation performed by the system control circuit 50is generation of a control signal to be used in the processing (e.g.,through the lens (TTL) auto-focus (AF) processing, auto-exposure (AE)processing, and flash pre-emission (EF) processing). Each control signalgenerated by the system control circuit 50 is supplied to the shuttercontrol unit 40, a focus adjustment unit 42, the photometry control unit46, and a flash unit 48.

The focus adjustment unit 42 generates a signal to focus an object imagebased on a control signal supplied from the system control circuit 50.The signal generated by the focus adjustment unit 42 is sent to thefocus control unit 342 via the system control circuit 50, an interface(I/F) 120, the signal contacts 122 and 322, and the interface (I/F) 320.The focus control unit 342 drives a focusing mechanism for the opticallens 310 so that the optical lens 310 is kept in an in-focus state.

The photometry control unit 46 measures the intensity of incident light(i.e., brightness of an object to be imaged). The system control circuit50 determines an exposure time and an aperture value based on aphotometric value measured by the photometry control unit 46. The systemcontrol circuit 50 transmits a control signal to the shutter controlunit 40 and a control signal to the diaphragm control unit 340. In thismanner, the system control circuit 50 functions as a determination unit.

The shutter control unit 40 adjusts an exposure time for the mechanicalshutter 12 based on a control signal from the system control circuit 50.The diaphragm control unit 340 controls the diaphragm 312 based on acontrol signal from the system control circuit 50. Thus, the shuttercontrol unit 40 and the diaphragm control unit 340 cooperatively controlan exposure amount.

Furthermore, if an electronic shutter is employed for the exposureamount control, the system control circuit 50 controls the timinggeneration circuit 18 to cause the image sensor 14 to perform a resetscanning operation. Namely, the system control circuit 50, the shuttercontrol unit 40, and the timing generation circuit 18 constitute anexposure control unit.

The flash unit 48 has an AF auxiliary light projection function and aflash control function. The flash unit 48 emits flash light having aquantity of light corresponding to a control signal supplied from thesystem control circuit 50.

Furthermore, the system control circuit 50 controls a notification unit54, which notifies a user of setting information (e.g., shooting mode,operation state) or a message using text, image, or sound. Thenotification unit 54 can be constituted by a liquid crystal display(LCD) unit, a sound-generating element, or a light-emitting diode (LED),or by a combination of them. Furthermore, the notification unit 54 ispartly incorporated in the optical finder 104.

The content displayed on the LCD via the notification unit 54 includesshooting mode-related display (single shooting/continuous shootingdisplay, self timer display, etc.), recording-related display(compression rate display, recording pixel number display, number ofrecorded-images display, number of recordable-images display, etc.), andshooting condition-related display (shutter speed display, aperturevalue display, exposure compensation display, flash display, red-eyereduction display, etc.).

Furthermore, the content displayed on the LCD includes miscellaneousdisplay (macro shooting display, buzzer setting display, remainingcapacity display for the timer battery, remaining battery capacitydisplay, error display, plural digit information display,attachment/detachment state display for the recording media 200 and 210,attachment/detachment state display for the lens unit 300, communicationI/F operation display, date/time display, connection state display foran external computer, etc).

The display contents that the notification unit 54 can display via theoptical finder 104 include, for example, in-focus display, shootingpreparation completion display, camera-shake warning display, flash unitcharge display, flash charge completion display, shutter speed display,aperture value display, exposure compensation display, and recordingmedium writing operation display.

The display contents that the notification unit 54 can display via LEDsinclude, for example, in-focus display, shooting preparation completiondisplay, camera-shake warning display, flash unit charge display, flashcharge completion display, recording medium writing operation display,macro shooting setting notification display, and secondary batterycharge display.

The display contents that the notification unit 54 can display via alamp include, for example, self-timer notification lamp, which can beused as AF auxiliary light.

Furthermore, the system control circuit 50 controls transmitting orreceiving image data to or from an external apparatus via acommunication unit 110. The communication unit 110 has a communicationfunction using RS232C, USB, IEEE1394, SCSI, LAN, modem, or wirelesscommunication. The communication unit 110 includes a connector (or anantenna for wireless communication) 112 to which an external apparatuscan be connected.

A timer 58 (time measurement unit) is used to control the shuttercontrol unit 40 to determine an exposure time according to the shuttertime of seconds set by the operation unit 70. Furthermore, the timer 58counts an energization time (i.e., a time interval from start tostoppage of energization to the second curtain coil of the mechanicalshutter 12) and an elapsed time (i.e., a time interval from stoppage torestart (SW2 ON) of energization to the second curtain coil) for theshutter control unit 40.

Furthermore, the time counted by the timer 58 can be temporarily storedin a nonvolatile memory 56 (e.g., EEPROM). A user can enter an operationinstruction to the system control circuit 50 via a mode dial 60, ashutter switch 62, an operation unit 70, or a power switch 72.

The mode dial 60 enables a user to select or set a functional shootingmode (e.g., automatic shooting mode, programmed shooting mode, shutterspeed priority shooting mode, aperture priority shooting mode, manualshooting mode, depth-of-focus priority shooting mode, portrait shootingmode, landscape shooting mode, close-up shooting mode, sports shootingmode, night view shooting mode, and panoramic shooting mode).

The shutter switch 62 is a two-stage switch including a switch SW1 and aswitch SW2. If a user presses the shutter switch 62 by a predeterminedamount (e.g. in a half-pressed state), the switch SW1 is turned on. Ifthe user further presses the shutter switch 62 (e.g., in a fully-pressedstate), the switch SW2 is turned on.

In response to a turned-on action of the switch SW1, the system controlcircuit 50 outputs a start signal instructing AF processing, AEprocessing, and EF processing. Furthermore, in response to a turned-onaction of the switch SW2, the system control circuit 50 outputs a startsignal instructing a series of shooting operations including exposureprocessing, development processing, and recording processing, so thatimage data (i.e., signal read from the image sensor 14) can be writteninto the recording medium 200 or 210.

First, in the exposure processing, the system control circuit 50 rotatesthe quick return mirror 130 upward, drives the mechanical shutter 12,and causes the A/D converter 16 and the memory control circuit 22 toread a photoelectrically converted signal from the image sensor 14 andwrite the read signal as image data into the memory 30.

In the development processing, the system control circuit 50 causes theimage processing circuit 20 and the memory control circuit 22 to performcomputation-based development processing and writes the processed imagedata into the memory 30. Furthermore, in the recording processing, thesystem control circuit 50 causes the compression/expansion circuit 32 tocompress image data read out of the memory 30 and writes the compressedimage data into the recording medium 200 or 210.

The operation unit 70 includes various buttons and dials, such as a menubutton, a set button, a playback button, a delete button, a jump button,an exposure compensation button, a single shooting/continuous shootingmode switching button, a photometric mode switching button, an AF modeswitching button, a white balance (WB) mode switching button, an ISOsensitivity setting button, a main electronic dial, a sub electronicdial, a live view mode button (i.e., a button for on/off controlling theEVF). For example, if a user presses the menu button, the system controlcircuit 50 causes the notification unit 54 or the image display unit 28to display a setting screen that enables a user to select settingitem(s) on the setting screen.

Furthermore, the setting screen according to an exemplary embodimentenables a user to select and set an ordinary shooting mode, anelectronic first-curtain shooting mode, or a mechanicalfirst-curtain/mechanical second-curtain mode. The parameters and modesset by a user via the mode dial 60 or the operation unit 70 are storedin the nonvolatile memory 56 (e.g., EEPROM).

Furthermore, the operation unit 70 includes a standard setting statesetting unit that enables a user to set a desired setting state(including shooting mode, exposure compensation value, singleshooting/continuous shooting mode, photometric mode, AF mode, WB mode,and ISO sensitivity) as standard setting state. The standard settingstate data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56.

A power switch 72 enables a user to select or set a power-on mode or apower-off mode for the camera body 100. Furthermore, the power switch 72can select or set a power-on mode or a power-off mode for the lens unit300 connected to the camera body 100, an external flash unit, recordingmedia 200 and 210, and other various accessories.

A power source control unit 80 supplies electric power to the systemcontrol circuit 50. The power source control unit 80 controls electricpower supplied to each unit from a power source 86 based on aninstruction supplied from the system control circuit 50. The powersource control unit 80 and the power source 86 are connected with eachother via the contacts 82 and 84. The power source 86 is, for example, aprimary battery (e.g., alkali battery), a secondary battery (e.g.,lithium ion battery or nickel-metal hydride battery), or an AC adapter.

The image data (compressed image data) stored in the memory 30 can bewritten into a recording medium 200 connected via an interfaces (I/F) 90and a connector 92 or a recording medium 210 connected via an interfaces94 and a connector 96. The recording media 200 and 210 are, for example,a memory card or a hard disk. The recording medium 200 includes arecording unit 202 constituted by a semiconductor memory or a magneticdisk, an interface 204 for communication with the camera body 100, and aconnector 206. The recording medium 210 includes a recording unit 212constituted by a semiconductor memory or a magnetic disk, an interface214 for communication with the camera body 100, and a connector 216.

In an exemplary embodiment, the camera body 100 is connectable with tworecording media 200 and 210. However, according to another exemplaryembodiment, the camera body 100 is connectable with one recording mediumor three recording media. In an exemplary embodiment, an imagingapparatus is an interchangeable type, such as a single lens reflex typedigital camera. However, the imaging apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment can be a camera including a lens and a lens barrel integratedwith a body.

[Exemplary Configuration of Mechanical Shutter]

An example configuration of the mechanical shutter 12 is described belowwith reference to FIGS. 2 through 6. FIGS. 2 through 6 are plan viewsillustrating the left half of the mechanical shutter 12 as viewed froman object side in a state where the mechanical shutter 12 isincorporated in the camera body 100. FIG. 2 illustrates an overchargestate where the first curtain and the second curtain are charged by alater-described charge lever. FIG. 3 illustrates a pre-travel standbystate where the first curtain and the second curtain are held at initialpositions by a later-described yoke and a coil that generate anelectromagnetic force. FIG. 4 illustrates a first-curtain travelcompletion state. FIG. 5 illustrates a second-curtain travel completionstate.

In FIGS. 2 through 5, constituent components of a driving mechanism fora first-curtain blade group 2 a and a second-curtain blade group 6 a(FIG. 5) are provided on a shutter base plate 1. An aperture 1 a, whichallows the light flux of an object to pass therethrough, is formed onthe shutter base plate 1.

A first-curtain driving lever (driving member) 2 can rotate around afirst-curtain shaft 1 b provided on a surface of the shutter base plate1. A torsion coil spring (not illustrated) is positioned along the outerperiphery of the first-curtain shaft 1 b. In FIG. 2, the torsion coilspring resiliently urges the first-curtain driving lever 2 in theclockwise direction so that the first-curtain blade group 2 a can travelin this direction.

The first-curtain driving lever 2 includes a first-curtain driving pin(not illustrated) formed on its front end portion. The first-curtaindriving pin, extending across a first curtain groove 1 c formed on theshutter base plate 1, engages with a first-curtain driving arm (notillustrated). The first-curtain driving arm is connected to thefirst-curtain blade group 2 a via a link mechanism. The first-curtainblade group 2 a includes a plurality of shutter blades.

When the first-curtain driving lever 2 rotates, the first-curtaindriving pin moves along the first curtain groove 1 c and thefirst-curtain driving arm rotates to cause the first-curtain blade group2 a to stretch or retract. The first curtain groove 1 c restricts arotational range of the first-curtain driving lever 2.

Furthermore, a first-curtain armature supporting portion 2 b is providedon the first-curtain driving lever 2. A through-hole portion (notillustrated) formed on the first-curtain armature supporting portion 2 bhas a flange portion larger than an inner diameter of the through-holeportion. A first-curtain armature shaft 3 a integrally attached to afirst curtain armature 3 engages with the flange portion of thethrough-hole portion. The first-curtain armature shaft 3 a extends in adirection perpendicular to an attraction surface of the first curtainarmature 3.

A compression spring (not illustrated) is disposed along the outerperiphery of the first-curtain armature shaft 3 a between the firstcurtain armature 3 and the first-curtain armature supporting portion 2b. The compression spring resiliently urges the first curtain armature 3in a direction departing from the armature supporting portion 2 b (i.e.,the up-and-down direction in FIG. 2).

A first-curtain shock absorbing rubber (shock absorbing member) 3 b isan elastically deformable member located between the first-curtainarmature supporting portion 2 b and the first-curtain armature shaft 3 aand is positioned on a surface perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection of the first-curtain armature shaft 3 a.

The first-curtain shock absorbing rubber 3 b prevents the first-curtainarmature supporting portion 2 b from directly colliding with thefirst-curtain armature shaft 3 a, when the first-curtain armaturesupporting portion 2 b moves from an overcharge state to a travelstarting state. Thus, by elastically deforming, the first-curtain shockabsorbing rubber 3 b absorbs a shock applied from the first-curtainarmature supporting portion 2 b to the first-curtain armature shaft 3 a.

A first curtain coil (electromagnetic member) 5 is provided along theouter periphery of a first curtain yoke (electromagnetic member) 4. Whena voltage is applied to the first curtain coil 5, the first curtain yoke4 generates a magnetic force, which can magnetically attract the firstcurtain armature 3. Thus, after the charge lever 10 rotates in thecounterclockwise direction from the overcharge state illustrated in FIG.2, the first-curtain blade group 2 a is held at an initial position(i.e., a pre-travel standby state illustrated in FIG. 3) where thefirst-curtain blade group 2 a can close the aperture 1 a. As describedabove, the first curtain armature 3, the first curtain yoke 4, and thefirst curtain coil 5 constitute a first-curtain holding mechanism thatcan hold the first-curtain blade group 2 a (first curtain) at an initialposition.

A second-curtain driving lever (driving member) 6 can rotate around asecond curtain shaft 1 d provided on the surface of the shutter baseplate 1. A torsion coil spring (not illustrated), positioned along theouter periphery of the second curtain shaft 1 d, resiliently urges thesecond-curtain driving lever 6 in the clockwise direction (i.e., atraveling direction of the second curtain blade group) in FIG. 2.

The second-curtain driving lever 6 includes a second-curtain driving pin(not illustrated) formed on its front end portion. The second-curtaindriving pin extends across a second curtain groove 1 e formed on theshutter base plate 1 and engages with a second-curtain driving arm (notillustrated). The second-curtain driving arm is connected to thesecond-curtain blade group 6 a (retracted state in FIGS. 2 to 4) via alink mechanism. The second-curtain blade group 6 a includes a pluralityof shutter blades.

When the second-curtain driving lever 6 rotates, the second-curtaindriving pin moves along the second curtain groove 1 e and thesecond-curtain driving arm rotates to cause the second-curtain bladegroup 6 a to stretch or retract. The above-described operation of thefirst-curtain blade group 2 a and the operation of the second-curtainblade group 6 a can hold the aperture 1 a in an opened state (where thelight flux of an object can enter the aperture 1 a) or in a closed state(where the light flux of an object cannot enter the aperture 1 a). Thesecond curtain groove 1 e restricts a rotational range of thesecond-curtain driving lever 6.

Furthermore, a second-curtain armature supporting portion 6 b isprovided on the second-curtain driving lever 6. A through-hole portion(not illustrated) formed on the second-curtain armature supportingportion 6 b has a flange portion larger than an inner diameter of thethrough-hole portion. A second-curtain armature shaft 7 a integrallyattached to a second curtain armature 7 engages with the flange portionof the through-hole portion. The second-curtain armature shaft 7 aextends in a direction perpendicular to an attraction surface of thesecond curtain armature 7.

A compression spring (not illustrated) is disposed along the outerperiphery of the second-curtain armature shaft 7 a between the secondcurtain armature 7 and the second-curtain armature supporting portion 6b. The compression spring resiliently urges the second curtain armature7 in a direction departing from the second-curtain armature supportingportion 6 b (i.e., the up-and-down direction in FIG. 2).

A second-curtain shock absorbing rubber 7 b is an elastically deformablemember located between the second-curtain armature supporting portion 6b and the second-curtain armature shaft 7 a and is positioned on asurface perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of thesecond-curtain armature shaft 7 a. The second-curtain shock absorbingrubber 7 b prevents the second-curtain armature supporting portion 6 bfrom directly colliding with the second-curtain armature shaft 7 a, whenthe second-curtain armature supporting portion 6 b moves from anovercharge state to a travel starting state. Thus, by elasticallydeforming, the second-curtain shock absorbing rubber 7 b absorbs a shockapplied from the second-curtain armature supporting portion 6 b to thesecond-curtain armature shaft 7 a.

A second curtain coil (electromagnetic member) 9 is provided along theouter periphery of a second curtain yoke (electromagnetic member) 8.When a voltage is applied to the second curtain coil 9, the secondcurtain yoke 8 generates a magnetic force, which can magneticallyattract the second curtain armature 7. Thus, after the charge lever 10rotates in the counterclockwise direction from the overcharge stateillustrated in FIG. 2, the second-curtain blade group 6 a is held at aninitial position (i.e., a pre-travel standby state illustrated in FIG.3) where the second-curtain blade group 6 a can open the aperture 1 a.As described above, the second curtain armature 7, the second curtainyoke 8, and the second curtain coil 9 constitute a second-curtainholding mechanism that can hold the second-curtain blade group 6 a(second curtain) at an initial position.

The charge lever 10 can rotate around a charge lever shaft 1 f providedon the shutter base plate 1. The charge lever 10 is connected to adriving lever member (not illustrated) via a charge pin 10 a. A drivingsource generates a driving force for rotating the driving lever member.

A cam portion 10 b formed on the charge lever 10 contacts afirst-curtain charge roller 2 c provided on the first-curtain drivinglever 2, and causes the first-curtain driving lever 2 to rotateaccording to a rotation of the charge lever 10. More specifically, whenthe first-curtain blade group 2 a is in a travel completion state (i.e.,when the first-curtain blade group 2 a is in a retracted state)illustrated in FIG. 4, the cam portion 10 b of the charge lever 10causes the first-curtain driving lever 2 to rotate in thecounterclockwise direction. Thus, the first-curtain driving lever 2moves into the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2 via the pre-travelstandby state illustrated in FIG. 3.

A cam portion 10 c formed on the charge lever 10 contacts asecond-curtain charge roller 6 c provided on the second-curtain drivinglever 6, and causes the second-curtain driving lever 6 to rotateaccording to a rotation of the charge lever 10. More specifically, whenthe second-curtain blade group 6 a is in a travel completion state(i.e., when the second-curtain blade group 6 a is in an extended state)illustrated in FIG. 5, the cam portion 10 c of the charge lever 10causes the second-curtain driving lever 6 to rotate in thecounterclockwise direction. Thus, the second-curtain driving lever 6moves into the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2 via the pre-travelstandby state illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a mounting state of the mechanical shutter 12. Thefirst curtain yoke 4, the first curtain coil 5, the second curtain yoke8, and the second curtain coil 9 are fixed on a magnet base plate 401.The magnet base plate 401 is in a predetermined positional relationshipwith the shutter base plate 1 and fixed by means of fastening orengaging members or an adhesive. The shutter control unit 40 is mountedon a flexible printed circuit board 402. A first-curtain temperaturesensor 403 (second temperature sensor) and a second-curtain temperaturesensor 404 (first temperature sensor) are mounted on the flexibleprinted circuit board 402.

The first-curtain temperature sensor 403 is positioned in the vicinityof the first curtain yoke 4 and an attraction portion of the firstcurtain armature 3. The second-curtain temperature sensor 404 ispositioned in the vicinity of the second curtain yoke 8 and anattraction portion of the second curtain armature 7. However, accordingto another exemplary embodiment, the first-curtain temperature sensor403 can be disposed in the vicinity of the optical finder 104 or at anyother position that is distant from the second curtain yoke 8 and theattraction portion of the second curtain armature 7.

Namely, the second-curtain temperature sensor 404 (the first temperaturesensor) is configured to measure the temperature of the second-curtainholding mechanism and is disposed within a predetermined range involvingthe second-curtain holding mechanism. The first-curtain temperaturesensor 403 (the second temperature sensor) is disposed outside thepredetermined range involving the second-curtain holding mechanism. Thefirst-curtain temperature sensor 403 and the second-curtain temperaturesensor 404 obtain a temperature difference between the second-curtainholding mechanism and a referential portion. For example, thefirst-curtain temperature sensor 403 can be disposed within apredetermined range involving the first-curtain holding mechanism.

In the electronic first-curtain adjustment performed during a cameraassembling process, an output value of the first-curtain temperaturesensor 403 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 56.

Furthermore, the flexible printed circuit board 402 is connected to thesystem control circuit 50 and can receive a control signal from thesystem control circuit 50 to start or stop energizing a coil. Theflexible printed circuit board 402 can be replaced with a hard circuitboard.

The above-described imaging system performs the following shuttercontrol during a shooting operation according to an exemplaryembodiment.

As described above, the setting screen displayed on the notificationunit 54 or the image display unit 28 enables a user to select theordinary shooting mode, the electronic first-curtain shooting mode, orthe mechanical first-curtain/mechanical second-curtain mode. In theordinary shooting mode, the first curtain and the second curtain of themechanical shutter 12 control the exposure time while a user views anobject through the optical finder 104.

In the electronic first-curtain shooting mode, the electronicfirst-curtain and the mechanical second-curtain control the exposuretime while a user views an object through the EVF (live view mode). Inthe mechanical first-curtain/mechanical second-curtain mode, the firstcurtain and the second curtain of the mechanical shutter 12 control theexposure time while a user views an object through the EVF (live viewmode).

[Example Operation in Ordinary Mode]

An example operation for the mechanical shutter 12 in the ordinaryshooting mode using the optical finder 104 (first shooting mode) isdescribed below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, 7, and 9. FIG. 7 is aflowchart illustrating an example control operation for the mechanicalshutter 12 in the ordinary shooting mode.

In step S11, the system control circuit 50 sets the mechanical shutter12 into the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2 before a userperforms an ordinary shooting mode (i.e., fully presses the shutterswitch 62 to turn the switch SW2 on).

In step S12, the system control circuit 50 determines whether theshutter switch 62 is pressed (i.e., whether the switch SW2 is turnedon). If a user does not press the switch SW2 (NO in step S12), thesystem control circuit 50 repeats the determination processing withrespect to the shutter switch 62 in step S12. If a user presses theswitch SW2 (YES in step S12), the control flow proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the system control circuit 50 causes the quick returnmirror 130 to rotate upward, starts energizing the first curtain coil 5and the second curtain coil 9, and causes the charge lever 10 to rotatein the counterclockwise direction. The first-curtain charge roller 2 cand the second-curtain charge roller 6 c separate from the cam portions10 b and 10 c of the charge lever 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3. In thepre-travel standby state illustrated in FIG. 3, the first curtainarmature 3 and the second curtain armature 7 are electromagneticallylocked and prevent the first-curtain driving lever 2 and thesecond-curtain driving lever 6 from rotating.

In step S14, the system control circuit 50 acquires temperatureinformation from the first-curtain temperature sensor 403 and thesecond-curtain temperature sensor 404.

In step S15, the system control circuit 50 calculates a temperaturedifference ΔT (=Ta−Ts) between a temperature Ta obtained from thesecond-curtain temperature sensor 404 and a temperature Ts obtained fromthe first-curtain temperature sensor 403.

In step S16, the system control circuit 50 determines whether thetemperature difference ΔT is greater than a predetermined threshold Th(e.g., 5° C.). If the system control circuit 50 determines that thetemperature difference ΔT is greater than the predetermined threshold Th(YES in step S16), the control flow proceeds to step S17.

In step S17, the system control circuit 50 adds a correction time (CΔT,wherein C is a coefficient for temperature correction) to an exposuretime (i.e., shutter time of seconds) T1 that is set based on aphotometric result obtained by the photometry control unit 46. Namely,the system control circuit 50 obtains a corrected shutter time ofseconds (=T1+CΔT). Namely, the system control circuit 50 can function asadjustment unit. If the system control circuit 50 determines that thetemperature difference ΔT is not greater than the predeterminedthreshold Th (NO in step S16), the control flow proceeds to step S18.

In step S18, the system control circuit 50 does not correct (i.e.,directly uses) the shutter time of seconds T1. It is desirable that thethreshold Th for the temperature difference ΔT is a value determinedconsidering the measurement accuracy of the first-curtain temperaturesensor 403 and the second-curtain temperature sensor 404.

In step S19, the system control circuit 50 successively stops energizingthe first curtain coil 5 and the second curtain coil 9 according to theshutter time of seconds obtained in step S17 or step S18, so that theimage sensor 14 can be exposed to light from an object. If a usercompletes the sheeting operation, the charge lever 10 rotates in theclockwise direction and the cam portions 10 b and 10 c push thefirst-curtain charge roller 2 c and the second-curtain charge roller 6 c(i.e., perform a charge operation). Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 isbrought into the state illustrated in FIG. 2 (step S11).

FIG. 9 is a time diagram illustrating an example voltage controloperation for the first curtain and the second curtain performed in stepS19.

When the switch SW2 of the shutter switch 62 is turned on, the systemcontrol circuit 50 starts energizing the first curtain coil 5 and thesecond curtain coil 9 to release the charge lever 10. The mechanicalshutter 12 is thus brought in the pre-travel standby state illustratedin FIG. 3.

If the temperature difference ΔT is equal to or less than thepredetermined threshold Th (e.g., 5° C.), the system control circuit 50stops energizing the first curtain coil 5 when a predetermined time(hereinafter, referred to as “shutter operation lag”) has elapsed afterthe turning-on of the switch SW2 (i.e., at the fall timing of a dottedline representing “the first curtain coil” in FIG. 9).

Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into the first-curtain travelcompletion state illustrated in FIG. 4. Then, when the shutter time ofseconds T1 obtained in step S18 has elapsed after the system controlcircuit 50 stops energizing the first curtain coil 5, the system controlcircuit 50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9. Thus, themechanical shutter 12 is brought into the second-curtain travelcompletion state illustrated in FIG. 5.

If the temperature difference ΔT is greater than the predeterminedthreshold Th (e.g., 5° C.), the system control circuit 50 stopsenergizing the first curtain coil 5 at timing earlier than theabove-described “shutter operation lag” by an amount CΔT (i.e., at thefall timing of a solid line representing “the first curtain coil” inFIG. 9). Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into thefirst-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4.

Then, when the corrected shutter time of seconds T1+CΔT obtained in stepS17 has elapsed after the system control circuit 50 stops energizing thefirst curtain coil 5, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing thesecond curtain coil 9. Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought intothe second-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 5.

[Example Operation of Mechanical Shutter and Image Sensor in Live ViewMode]

An example operation of the mechanical shutter 12 and an electronicfirst-curtain operation of the image sensor 14 in the live view modeusing the EVF is described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, 8, 10,and 11. In the live view mode, the system control circuit 50 performs ashutter control operation when a user sets the electronic first-curtainshooting mode or the mechanical first-curtain/mechanical second-curtainmode. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating example processing forcontrolling the mechanical shutter 12 and the electronic first-curtainof the image sensor 14 in the live view mode.

When a user presses the live view mode button (i.e., one of the buttonsprovided on the operation unit 70) in the overcharge state illustratedin FIG. 2, the system control circuit 50 starts the processingillustrated in FIG. 8.

In step S21, the system control circuit 50 causes the quick returnmirror 130 to rotate upward, starts energizing the first curtain coil 5and the second curtain coil 9, and causes the charge lever 10 to rotatein the counterclockwise direction. Then, the first-curtain charge roller2 c and the second-curtain charge roller 6 c separate from the camportions 10 b and 10 c of the charge lever 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3(i.e., the pre-travel standby state).

Next, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the first curtaincoil 5 to cause only the first curtain to travel. The mechanical shutter12 is brought into the first-curtain travel completion state illustratedin FIG. 4, where the image sensor 14 can receive light from an object.The image sensor 14 performs capturing of an image and starts a liveview operation. During the live view operation, the system controlcircuit 50 continues energizing the second curtain coil 9 tomagnetically lock the second curtain.

In step S22, the system control circuit 50 determines whether theshutter switch 62 is pressed (i.e., whether the switch SW2 is turnedon). If a user does not press the switch SW2 (NO in step S22), thesystem control circuit 50 repeats the determination processing withrespect to the shutter switch 62 in step S22. If the switch SW2 isturned on (YES in step S22), the control flow proceeds to step S23.

In step S23, the system control circuit 50 determines whether theelectronic first-curtain shooting mode is set. If the system controlcircuit 50 determines that the electronic first-curtain shooting mode isnot set (namely, if the mechanical first-curtain/mechanicalsecond-curtain shooting mode is set), the control flow proceeds to stepS24.

In step S24, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the secondcurtain coil 9 to cause the second curtain to travel and return to thesecond-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 5. Next, thecharge lever 10 rotates in the clockwise direction and the camportions10 b and 10 c press the first-curtain charge roller 2 c and thesecond-curtain charge roller 6 c (i.e., performs the charge operation).Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into the overcharge stateillustrated in FIG. 2.

In step S25, after completing the charge operation, the system controlcircuit 50 starts energizing the first curtain coil 5 and the secondcurtain coil 9. The charge lever 10 rotates in the counterclockwisedirection. The first-curtain charge roller 2 c and the second-curtaincharge roller 6 c separate from the camportions 10 b and 10 c of thecharge lever 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3 (i.e., the pre-travel standbystate).

In step S26, the system control circuit 50 acquires temperatureinformation from the first-curtain temperature sensor 403 and thesecond-curtain temperature sensor 404.

In step S27, the system control circuit 50 calculates a temperaturedifference ΔT (=Ta−Ts) between a temperature Ts obtained from thefirst-curtain temperature sensor 403 and a temperature Ta obtained fromthe second-curtain temperature sensor 404.

In step S28, the system control circuit 50 determines whether thetemperature difference ΔT is greater than a predetermined threshold Th(e.g., 5° C.). Then, if the system control circuit 50 determines thatthe temperature difference ΔT is greater than the predeterminedthreshold Th (YES in step S28), the control flow proceeds to step S29.

In step S29, the system control circuit 50 adds a correction time (CΔT,where C is a coefficient for temperature correction) to an exposure time(i.e., shutter time of seconds) T1 that is set based on a photometricresult obtained by the photometry control unit 46. Namely, the systemcontrol circuit 50 obtains a corrected shutter time of seconds(=T1+CΔT). If the system control circuit 50 determines that thetemperature difference ΔT is not greater than the predeterminedthreshold Th (NO in step S28), the control flow proceeds to step S30.

In step S30, the system control circuit 50 does not correct (i.e.,directly uses) the shutter time of seconds T1. It is desirable that thethreshold Th for the temperature difference ΔT is a value determinedconsidering the measurement accuracy of the first-curtain temperaturesensor 403 and the second-curtain temperature sensor 404.

In step S31, the system control circuit 50 successively stops energizingthe first curtain coil 5 and the second curtain coil 9 according to theshutter time of seconds obtained in step S29 or step S30, so that theimage sensor 14 can be exposed to light from an object. If a usercompletes the sheeting operation, the system control circuit 50 performsthe above-described procedure for bringing the mechanical shutter 12into the first-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4 andcontinues the live view operation (step S21).

If the system control circuit 50 determines that the electronicfirst-curtain shooting mode is set (YES in step S23), the control flowproceeds to step S41.

In step S41, the system control circuit 50 receives an output from thesecond-curtain temperature sensor 404 and reads temperature informationfrom the nonvolatile memory 56 (e.g., EEPROM) that stores first-curtaintemperature information during the electronic first-curtain adjustmentperformed in a camera assembling process.

In step S42, the system control circuit 50 calculates a temperaturedifference ΔTe (=Ta−Tes) between the temperature Ta obtained from thesecond-curtain temperature sensor 404 and a temperature Tes obtainedfrom the first-curtain temperature sensor 403 during the electronicfirst-curtain adjustment.

In step S43, the system control circuit 50 determines whether anabsolute value |ΔTe| of the temperature difference is greater than apredetermined threshold Th (e.g., 5° C.). If the system control circuit50 determines that the absolute value |ΔTe| is greater than thepredetermined threshold Th (YES in step S43), the control flow proceedsto step S44.

In step S44, the system control circuit 50 adds a correction time (CΔTe,wherein C is a coefficient for temperature correction) to an exposuretime (i.e., shutter time of seconds) T1 that is set based on aphotometric result obtained by the photometry control unit 46. Namely,the system control circuit 50 obtains a corrected shutter time ofseconds (=T1+CΔTe). If the system control circuit 50 determines that theabsolute value |ΔTe| of the temperature difference is not greater thanthe predetermined threshold Th (NO in step S43), the control flowproceeds to step S45.

In step S45, the system control circuit 50 does not correct (i.e.,directly uses) the shutter time of seconds T1. It is desirable that thethreshold Th for the temperature difference ΔT and for the absolutevalue |ΔTes| of the temperature difference is a value determinedconsidering the measurement accuracy of the first-curtain temperaturesensor 403 and the second-curtain temperature sensor 404.

In step S46, the system control circuit 50 resets the image sensor 14(electronic first-curtain) according to the shutter time of secondsobtained in step S44 or step S45 and stops energizing the second curtaincoil 9 so that the image sensor 14 can be exposed to light from anobject. If a user completes the sheeting operation, the system controlcircuit 50 performs the above-described procedure for bringing themechanical shutter 12 into the first-curtain travel completion stateillustrated in FIG. 4 and continues the live view operation (step S21).

FIG. 10 is a time diagram illustrating an example voltage controloperation for the first curtain and the second curtain of the mechanicalshutter 12 performed in step S31. When the switch SW2 of the shutterswitch 62 is turned on in the live view state (i.e., in thefirst-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4), the systemcontrol circuit 50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9 andperforms the charge operation. Then, the system control circuit 50starts energizing the first curtain coil 5 and the second curtain coil 9to release the charge lever 10. Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 isbrought in the pre-travel standby state illustrated in FIG. 3.

If the temperature difference ΔT is equal to or less than thepredetermined threshold Th (e.g., 5° C.), the system control circuit 50stops energizing the first curtain coil 5 when a predetermined time(“shutter operation lag”) has elapsed after the turning-on of the switchSW2 (i.e., at the fall timing of a dotted line representing “the firstcurtain coil” in FIG. 10). Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is broughtinto the first-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4.

Then, if the shutter time of seconds T1 obtained in step S30 has elapsedafter the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the first curtaincoil 5, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the secondcurtain coil 9. Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into thesecond-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 5.

If the temperature difference ΔT is greater than the predeterminedthreshold Th (e.g., 5° C.), the system control circuit 50 stopsenergizing the first curtain coil 5 at timing earlier than theabove-described “shutter operation lag” by an amount CΔT (i.e., at thefall timing of a solid line representing “the first curtain coil” inFIG. 10). Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into thefirst-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4.

Then, if the corrected shutter time of seconds T1+CΔT has elapsed afterthe mechanical shutter 12 stops energizing the first curtain coil 5, thesystem control circuit 50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9.Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into the second-curtaintravel completion state illustrated in FIG. 5.

Next, the system control circuit 50 performs the charge operation torealize the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2. Then, the systemcontrol circuit 50 starts energizing the first curtain coil 5 and thesecond curtain coil 9 to release the charge lever 10 (i.e., thepre-travel standby state illustrated in FIG. 3). After a predeterminedtime has elapsed, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing thefirst curtain coil 5 to bring the mechanical shutter 12 into thefirst-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4. In thisstate, the image sensor 14 captures an image to restart the live viewoperation.

FIG. 11 is a time diagram illustrating an example voltage controloperation for the electronic first-curtain and the mechanicalsecond-curtain performed in step S46. If the switch SW2 of the shutterswitch 62 is turned on in the live view state (i.e., in thefirst-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4), and if theabsolute value |ΔTe| of the temperature difference is equal to or lessthan a predetermined threshold Th (e.g., 5° C.), the system controlcircuit 50 starts pixel reset scanning (travel of the electronicfirst-curtain) for the image sensor 14 when a predetermined time(hereafter, referred to as “electronic first-curtain operation lag”) haselapsed after turning-on of the switch SW2 (i.e., at the fall timing ofa dotted line representing “the image sensor” in FIG. 11).

Then, if the shutter time of seconds T1 obtained in step S45 has elapsedafter starting the travel of the electronic first-curtain, the systemcontrol circuit 50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9. Thus, themechanical shutter 12 is brought into the second-curtain travelcompletion state illustrated in FIG. 5.

If the absolute value |ΔTe| of the temperature difference is greaterthan the predetermined threshold Th (e.g., 5° C.), the system controlcircuit 50 starts the reset scanning (travel of the electronicfirst-curtain) for the image sensor 14 at timing earlier than theabove-described “electronic first-curtain operation lag” by an amountCΔTe (i.e., at the fall timing of a solid line representing “the imagesensor” in FIG. 11).

Then, if the shutter time of seconds T1+CΔTe obtained in step S44 haselapsed after starting the travel of the electronic first-curtain, thesystem control circuit 50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9.Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into the second-curtaintravel completion state illustrated in FIG. 5.

Next, the system control circuit 50 performs the charge operation torealize the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2. Then, the systemcontrol circuit 50 starts energizing the first curtain coil 5 and thesecond curtain coil 9 to release the charge lever 10 (i.e., thepre-travel standby state illustrated in FIG. 3). After a predeterminedtime has elapsed, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing thefirst curtain coil 5 to bring the mechanical shutter 12 into thefirst-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4. In thisstate, the image sensor 14 captures an image to restart the live viewoperation.

FIG. 12 illustrates a relationship between the temperature difference ΔTand the correction amount CΔT. FIG. 13 illustrates a relationshipbetween the temperature difference ΔTe and the correction amount CΔTe.The threshold Th for the temperature difference ΔT is a criterion todetermine the correction for the shutter time of seconds and is set to5° C. according to the example illustrated in FIG. 12. If a relationshipΔT≦5° C. is satisfied, the correction amount CΔT for the “shutteroperation lag” is 0. If a relationship ΔT>5° C. is satisfied, thecorrection amount CΔT for the “shutter operation lag” varies inproportion to the temperature difference ΔT.

Furthermore, the threshold Th for the temperature difference ΔTe is acriterion to determine the correction for the shutter time of secondsand is set to 5° C. according to the example illustrated in FIG. 13. Ifa relationship −5° C.≦ΔTe≦5° C. is satisfied, the correction amount CΔTefor the “electronic first-curtain operation lag” is 0. If a relationshipΔTe<−5° C. or ΔTe>5° C. is satisfied, the correction amount CΔTe for the“electronic first-curtain operation lag” varies in proportion to thetemperature difference ΔTe.

Although the correction amounts CΔT and CΔTe are not limited to specificvalues, the correction amount CΔT for the “shutter operation lag” canhave an upper-limit value and the correction amount CΔTe for the“electronic first-curtain operation lag” can have both an upper-limitvalue and a lower-limit value.

FIGS. 14 to 16 illustrate temperatures of the first curtain coil 5 andthe second curtain coil 9 and the operation lag correction amount whichrespectively change during execution of the live view operation and inthe live view cancelled state.

FIG. 14 illustrates changes of the temperature Ts of the first-curtaintemperature sensor 403, the temperature Ta of the second-curtaintemperature sensor 404, and the temperature difference ΔT (=Ta−Ts)between the second-curtain temperature sensor 404 and the first-curtaintemperature sensor 403 during execution of the live view operation andin the live view canceled state (i.e., after stopping energizing thesecond curtain).

During execution of the live view operation, the temperature Ta of thesecond-curtain temperature sensor 404 greatly increases when the liveview continuation time (i.e., second curtain energization time)increases. During execution of the live view operation, electric poweris not supplied to the first curtain coil 5. Therefore, the temperatureTs of the first-curtain temperature sensor 403 does not increase so muchcompared to the temperature Ta of the second-curtain temperature sensor404. On the other hand, the temperature difference ΔT (=Ta−Ts) betweenthe second-curtain temperature sensor 404 and the first-curtaintemperature sensor 403 greatly increases when the live view continuationtime (i.e., second curtain energization time) increases.

After the live view operation is cancelled, both the temperature Ts ofthe first-curtain temperature sensor 403 and the temperature Ta of thesecond-curtain temperature sensor 404 decrease according to the timeelapsing after cancellation of the live view operation (i.e., elapsedtime after stoppage of energizing the second curtain). The temperaturedifference ΔT between the second-curtain temperature sensor 404 and thefirst-curtain temperature sensor 403 decreases correspondingly.

FIG. 15 illustrates the correction amount CΔT for the “shutter operationlag” that changes during execution of the live view operation and in thelive view canceled state (i.e., after stopping energizing the secondcurtain). During execution of the live view operation, the correctionamount CΔT for the “shutter operation lag” increases when the live viewcontinuation time (i.e., second curtain energization time) increases.After the live view operation is cancelled, the correction amount CΔTfor the “shutter operation lag” decreases according to the time elapsingafter cancellation of the live view operation (i.e., elapsed time afterstoppage of energizing the second curtain).

FIG. 16 illustrates the temperature Ta of the second-curtain temperaturesensor 404, the temperature difference ΔTe (=Ta−Tes) between thetemperature Ta and the first-curtain temperature Tes in the electronicfirst-curtain adjustment, and the correction amount CΔTe for the“electronic first-curtain operation lag” which respectively changeduring execution of the live view operation and in the live viewcanceled state (i.e., after stopping energizing the second curtain). Inthis case, the first-curtain temperature Tes in the electronicfirst-curtain adjustment is 23° C.

In each temperature environment, during execution of the live viewoperation, the temperature Ta of the second-curtain temperature sensor404 greatly increases when the live view continuation time (i.e., secondcurtain energization time) increases. Thus, the temperature differenceΔTe (=Ta−Tes) between the temperature Ta of the second-curtaintemperature sensor 404 and the first-curtain temperature Tes in theelectronic first-curtain adjustment greatly increases when the live viewcontinuation time (i.e., second curtain energization time) increases.

In a temperature environment of −20° C., the temperature Ta of thesecond-curtain temperature sensor 404 is not greater than thefirst-curtain temperature Tes (=23° C.) in the electronic first-curtainadjustment even during execution of the live view operation. Therefore,the temperature Ta is always a negative value. Therefore, the correctionamount CΔTe for the “electronic first-curtain operation lag” is anegative value. Thus, in the control for the electronic first-curtain,the system control circuit 50 adds the correction amount CΔTe to the“electronic first-curtain operation lag.”

In each temperature environment, after the live view operation iscancelled, the correction amount CΔTe for the “electronic first-curtainoperation lag” decreases according to the time elapsing aftercancellation of the live view operation (i.e., elapsed time afterstoppage of energizing the second curtain). According to the examplesillustrated in FIGS. 14 to 16, the live view operation is not performedafter the live view operation is cancelled (i.e., after stoppingenergizing the second curtain).

As illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 16, if the live view operation (orshooting operation) continues for a long time, the temperature of thesecond curtain coil 9 increases and the electric resistance of thesecond curtain coil 9 increases correspondingly. If the resistanceincreases, the current flowing through the second curtain coil 9decreases. Therefore, the second curtain armature 7 and the secondcurtain yoke 8 separate from each other at earlier timing (with a shorttime lag). On the other hand, electric power is not supplied to thefirst curtain coil 5. Therefore, the temperature of the first curtaincoil 5 does not increase. The timing the first curtain armature 3 andthe first curtain yoke 4 separate from each other (i.e., time lag) doesnot change if the ambient temperature is constant. Therefore, the actualexposure time becomes shorter.

Hence, as illustrated in FIG. 12, the system control circuit 50determines the correction amount CΔT for the “shutter operation lag”according to the temperature difference ΔT between the temperature Ta ofthe second-curtain temperature sensor 404 and the temperature Ts of thefirst-curtain temperature sensor 403. Thus, the system control circuit50 can perform an accurate exposure control operation regardless ofambient temperature after completing the live view operation in whichthe shutter opens for a long time.

Furthermore, in the electronic first-curtain shooting mode, the timingthe electronic first-curtain starts traveling (i.e., pixel reset starttiming of the image sensor 14) is constant regardless of ambienttemperature. Therefore, the accuracy in exposure control is dependent ontiming the second curtain armature 7 and the second curtain yoke 8separate from each other (i.e., time lag).

Hence, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the system control circuit 50determines the correction amount CΔTe for the “electronic first-curtainoperation lag” according to the temperature difference ΔTe (=Ta−Tes)between the temperature Ta of the second-curtain temperature sensor 404and the temperature Tes of the first-curtain temperature sensor 403 inthe electronic first-curtain adjustment. Thus, the system controlcircuit 50 can perform an accurate exposure control operation regardlessof ambient temperature after completing the live view operation in whichthe shutter opens for a long time.

Furthermore, the system control circuit 50 changes a correction amountby discriminating a shooting mode operation (using the mechanicalfirst-curtain and the mechanical second-curtain) and an electronicfirst-curtain shooting operation (using the electronic first-curtain andthe mechanical second-curtain). Thus, the system control circuit 50 canperform an appropriate correction according to a changing exposure.

Furthermore, providing thresholds for the temperature differences ΔT andΔTe can prevent the system control circuit 50 from correcting thecontrol time (operation lag) according to differences in the measurementaccuracy of the first-curtain temperature sensor 403 and thesecond-curtain temperature sensor 404.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system control circuit 50 controls theexposure time by correcting the shutter control time (shutter operationlag). However, the present invention is not limited to theabove-described embodiment. For example, if an image is captured withoutchanging the shutter time of seconds, the image processing circuit 20can adjust a gain value for the gain correction (in the developmentprocess) by an amount corresponding to a correction amount for theshutter time of seconds. Furthermore, the temperature correctioncoefficient C is not limited to a constant value.

In an exemplary embodiment, the temperature correction coefficient C ischangeable according to the temperature of the first-curtain temperaturesensor 403.

Furthermore, in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the mechanicalshutter 12 includes both the first curtain and the second curtain whileusage of the mechanical first-curtain and usage of the electronicfirst-curtain are selectable. The present invention is not limited tothe above-described embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, themechanical shutter 12 can include only the second curtain and canconstantly use the electronic first-curtain.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example control operation for themechanical shutter 12 in the ordinary shooting mode according to asecond exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In this exemplaryembodiment, constituent components similar to those described in thefirst exemplary embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

In step S111, the system control circuit 50 sets the mechanical shutter12 into the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2 before a userperforms an ordinary shooting mode (i.e., fully presses the shutterswitch 62 to turn on the switch SW2).

In step S112, the system control circuit 50 determines whether theshutter switch 62 is pressed (i.e., whether the switch SW2 is turnedon). If a user does not press the switch SW2 (NO in step S112), thesystem control circuit 50 repeats the determination processing withrespect to the shutter switch 62 in step S112. If the switch SW2 isturned on (YES in step S112), the control flow proceeds to step S113.

In step S113, the system control circuit 50 causes the quick returnmirror 130 to rotate upward, starts energizing the first curtain coil 5and the second curtain coil 9, and causes the charge lever 10 to rotatein the counterclockwise direction.

The first-curtain charge roller 2 c and the second-curtain charge roller6 c separate from the cam portions 10 b and 10 c of the charge lever 10as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the pre-travel standby state illustrated inFIG. 3, the first curtain armature 3 and the second curtain armature 7are electromagnetically locked and prevent the first-curtain drivinglever 2 and the second-curtain driving lever 6 from rotating.

In step S114, the system control circuit 50 determines whether theshutter time of seconds (Tv value, e.g., T1 in this embodiment) isgreater than a predetermined time of seconds (e.g., 1 sec). If thesystem control circuit 50 determines that the shutter time of seconds isequal to or less than the predetermined time of seconds (e.g., 1 sec),the temperature increase in the second curtain coil 9 is small.Therefore, the control flow proceeds to step S116.

If the system control circuit 50 determines that the shutter time ofseconds is greater than the predetermined time of seconds (e.g., 1 sec),the control flow proceeds to step S115.

In step S115, the system control circuit 50 instructs the timer 58 tostart counting the energization time “toi” of the second curtain coil 9.

In step S116, the system control circuit 50 performs the followingprocessing. First, the system control circuit 50 obtains a sum SUMtoi(i=1 to m) of the energization time “toi” for the second curtain coil 9in the latest m (at least one) shooting operations. In this case, “tom”(i.e., i=m) represents an estimated energization time for the secondcurtain coil 9 in the present shooting operation, which is equal to theshutter time of seconds T1.

Next, the system control circuit 50 obtains a sum SUMtcj (j=1 to m−1) ofelapsed time “tcj” which represents a period of time having elapsedbefore the system control circuit 50 restarts energizing the secondcurtain coil 9 for the next shooting operation after completing thelatest m−1 (at least one) shooting operations (i.e., from the timing thesystem control circuit 50 once stops energizing the second curtain coil9). Then, the system control circuit 50 calculates a differenceSUMtoi−SUMtcj (i=1 to m and j=1 to m−1) between two sums. The systemcontrol circuit 50 determines whether the difference SUMtoi−SUMtcj isgreater than a predetermined threshold “th” (e.g., 30 sec). If thesystem control circuit 50 determines that the difference SUMtoi−SUMtcjis greater than the predetermined threshold “th” (e.g., 30 sec) (YES instep S116), the control flow proceeds to step S117.

In step S117, the system control circuit 50 calculates a correction timeα(t).

In step S118, the system control circuit 50 adds the correction timeα(t) to an exposure time (i.e., shutter time of seconds) T1 that is setbased on a photometric result obtained by the photometry control unit46. In other words, the system control circuit 50 obtains a correctedshutter time of seconds T1+α(t). Namely, the system control circuit 50can function as exposure time adjustment unit.

In this embodiment, the system control circuit 50 calculates thecorrection time α(t) based on an energization time “to” and an elapsedtime “tc” according to the following functional equation (a correctionfunction).α(t)=C1(A(SUMtoi ³)+B(SUMtoi ²)+C(SUMtoi)+D)−C2 Ln(SUMtcj)where i=1 to m and j=1 to m−1, while A, B, C, D, C1, and C2 are timecorrection coefficients.

If the system control circuit 50 determines that the differenceSUMtoi−SUMtcj (i=1 to m and j=1 to m−1) is equal to or less than thepredetermined threshold “th” (NO in step S116), the control flowproceeds to step S119.

In step S119, the system control circuit 50 does not correct (i.e.,directly uses) the shutter time of seconds T1. It is desirable that thethreshold “th” for the difference SUMtoi−SUMtcj between the energizationtime and the elapsed time is a value determined considering thetemperature increase in the second curtain coil 9, which has an effecton the shutter accuracy.

Then, in step S120, the system control circuit 50 successively stopsenergizing the first curtain coil 5 and the second curtain coil 9according to the shutter time of seconds obtained in step S118 or S119,so that the image sensor 14 can be exposed to light from an object.

In step S121, the system control circuit 50 stores the energization time“toi” for the present shooting operation into the nonvolatile memory 56(e.g., EEPROM).

In step S122, the system control circuit 50 instructs the timer 58 tostart counting the elapsed time “tcj” (i.e., a time having elapsedbefore starting the next shooting operation after completing the presentshooting operation).

If a user completes the shooting operation, the system control circuit50 causes the charge lever 10 to rotate in the clockwise direction whilethe cam portions 10 b and 10 c press the first-curtain charge roller 2 cand the second-curtain charge roller 6 c (i.e., performs the chargeoperation). Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into theovercharge state illustrated in FIG. 2 (step S111).

If in step S122 the elapsed time “tcj” is greater than a predeterminedtime “tcmax” (e.g., 30 min), the system control circuit 50 executes areset operation for deleting the energization time “toi” and the elapsedtime “tcj” stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 (e.g., EEPROM).Similarly, if a user turns the power switch 72 off, the system controlcircuit 50 executes a reset operation for deleting the energization time“toi” and the elapsed time “tcj” stored in the nonvolatile memory 56(e.g., EEPROM).

FIGS. 23A and 23B illustrate an example camera operation in a shootingoperation using the optical finder, wherein the abscissa axis representstime t. FIG. 23A illustrates an example camera operation in a continuousshooting mode In this case, at respective shots 1 to 3, the followingexpression can be used for the left side of the determination formulaused in step S116 in FIG. 17:to1  Shot 1to1+to2  Shot 2to1+to2+to3  Shot 3In this case, the deenergization time for the second curtain coil 9 issufficiently short in the continuous shooting operation and isnegligible.

Furthermore, FIG. 23B illustrates an example camera operation in asingle shooting mode In this case, at respective shots 1 to 3, thefollowing expression can be used for the left side of the determinationformula used in step S116 in FIG. 17:to1  Shot 1to1+to2−tc1  Shot 2to1+to2+to3−(tc1+tc2)  Shot 3

FIG. 20 is a time diagram illustrating an example voltage controloperation for the first curtain and the second curtain performed in stepS120. If the switch SW2 of the shutter switch 62 is turned on, thesystem control circuit 50 starts energizing the first curtain coil 5 andthe second curtain coil 9 to release the charge lever 10. Thus, themechanical shutter 12 is brought into the pre-travel standby stateillustrated in FIG. 3.

If the difference SUMtoi−SUMtcj between the energization time and theelapsed time is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold “th”(e.g., threshold “th”≦30 sec), the system control circuit 50 performsthe following control. Namely, the system control circuit 50 stopsenergizing the first curtain coil 5 when a predetermined time(hereinafter, referred to as “shutter operation lag”) has elapsed afterturning-on of the switch SW2 (i.e., at the fall timing of a dotted linerepresenting “the first curtain coil” in FIG. 20).

Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into the first-curtain travelcompletion state illustrated in FIG. 4. Then, the system control circuit50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9 when the shutter time ofseconds T1 obtained in step S119 has elapsed after stoppage ofenergizing the first curtain coil 5. Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 isbrought into the second-curtain travel completion state illustrated inFIG. 5.

If the difference SUMtoi−SUMtcj between the energization time and theelapsed time is greater than the predetermined threshold “th” (e.g.,threshold “th”≦30 sec), the system control circuit 50 performs thefollowing control. Namely, the system control circuit 50 stopsenergizing the first curtain coil 5 at timing earlier than theabove-described “shutter operation lag” by an amount α(t) (i.e., at thefall timing of a solid line representing “the first curtain coil” inFIG. 20).

Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into the first-curtain travelcompletion state illustrated in FIG. 4. Then, the system control circuit50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9 when the corrected shuttertime of seconds T1+α(t) obtained in step S118 has elapsed after stoppageof energizing the first curtain coil 5. Thus, the mechanical shutter 12is brought into the second-curtain travel completion state illustratedin FIG. 5.

The reason why the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the firstcurtain coil 5 at timing earlier than the “shutter operation lag” by anamount α(t) is as follows. If the difference SUMtoi−SUMtcj between theenergization time and the elapsed time is greater than the predeterminedthreshold “th”, the departure timing of the electromagnet for the secondcurtain changes (advances) due to heat generation in the electromagnet.Therefore, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the firstcurtain coil 5 at earlier timing correspondingly.

[Example Operation of mechanical Shutter and Image Sensor in Live ViewMode]

An example operation for the mechanical shutter 12 and the electronicfirst-curtain of the image sensor 14 in the live view mode using the EVFis described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5, 7, 18, 21, 22, 24A,and 24B. In the live view mode, the system control circuit 50 performsshutter control under the electronic first-curtain shooting mode or themechanical first-curtain/mechanical second-curtain mode. FIG. 18 is aflowchart illustrating example processing for controlling the mechanicalshutter 12 and the electronic first-curtain of the image sensor 14 inthe live view mode.

In step S131, the system control circuit 50 sets the mechanical shutter12 into the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2.

In step S132, the system control circuit 50 determines whether a userpresses the live view mode button (one of the buttons provided on theoperation unit 70), i.e., determines whether the live view mode is set.

If the system control circuit 50 determines that the live view mode isnot set (NO in step S132), the system control circuit 50 repeats thedetermination processing with respect to the live view mode button. Ifthe system control circuit 50 determines that the live view mode is set(YES in step S132), the control flow proceeds to step S133.

In step S133, the system control circuit 50 causes the quick returnmirror 130 to rotate upward and starts energizing the first curtain coil5 and the second curtain coil 9.

In step S134, the system control circuit 50 instructs the timer 58 tostart counting the energization time “toi” for the second curtain coil9. The charge lever 10 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Thefirst-curtain charge roller 2 c and the second-curtain charge roller 6 cseparate from the cam portions 10 b and 10 c of the charge lever 10 asillustrated in FIG. 3 (i.e., the pre-travel standby state).

In step S135, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the firstcurtain coil 5 to cause only the first curtain to travel. The mechanicalshutter 12 is brought into the first-curtain travel completion stateillustrated in FIG. 4, where the image sensor 14 can receive light froman object. In this state, the image sensor 14 performs capturing of animage and starts a live view operation. During the live view operation,the system control circuit 50 continues energizing the second curtaincoil 9 to magnetically lock the second curtain.

In step S136, the system control circuit 50 determines whether theshutter switch 62 is pressed (i.e., whether the switch SW2 is turnedon). If the system control circuit 50 determines that the switch SW2 isnot turned on (NO in step S136), the system control circuit 50 repeatsthe determination processing with respect to the shutter switch 62 instep S136.

If the system control circuit 50 determines that the switch SW2 isturned on (YES in step S136), the control flow proceeds to step S137.

In step S137, the system control circuit 50 determines whether SUMtoi(i=1 to m) is greater than a predetermined threshold “th” (e.g., 30sec), where SUMtoi represents a sum of the energization time for thesecond curtain coil 9 in the latest m (at least one) live viewoperations. In this case, “tom” (i.e., i=m) represents the energizationtime for the second curtain coil 9 in the present shooting operation,which is equal to the count value measured in step S134. If the systemcontrol circuit 50 determines that SUMtoi is greater than thepredetermined threshold “th” (YES in step S137), the control flowproceeds to step S138.

In step S138, the system control circuit 50 calculates a correction timeβ(t).

In step S139, the system control circuit 50 adds the correction time (t)to an exposure time (i.e., shutter time of seconds) T1 that is set basedon a photometric result obtained by the photometry control unit 46. Inother words, the system control circuit 50 obtains a corrected shuttertime of seconds T1+β(t). Namely, the system control circuit 50 canfunction as exposure time adjustment unit. In this embodiment, thesystem control circuit 50 calculates the correction time β(t) based onan energization time “to” according to the following functional equation(a correction function).β(t)=C1(A(SUMtoi ^(3i))+B(SUMtoi ^(2i))+C(SUMtoi)+D)where, i=1 to m and A, B, C, D, and C1 are time correction coefficients.

If the system control circuit 50 determines that SUMtoi (i=1 to m) isequal to or less than the predetermined threshold “th” (NO in stepS137), the control flow proceeds to step S140.

In step S140, the system control circuit 50 does not correct (i.e.,directly uses) the shutter time of seconds T1.

It is desirable that the threshold “th” for the SUMtoi (i.e. the sum ofthe energization time) is a value determined considering the temperatureincrease in the second curtain coil 9, which has an effect on theshutter accuracy.

Then, in step S141, the system control circuit 50 determines whether theelectronic first-curtain shooting mode is set. If the system controlcircuit 50 determines that the electronic first-curtain shooting mode isnot set (NO in step S141), namely if the mechanicalfirst-curtain/mechanical second-curtain shooting mode is set, thecontrol flow proceeds to step S142.

In step S142, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the secondcurtain coil 9 to cause the second curtain to travel (i.e., thesecond-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 5). Thecharge lever 10 rotates in the clockwise direction while the camportions 10 b and 10 c press the first-curtain charge roller 2 c and thesecond-curtain charge roller 6 c (i.e., performs the charge operation).Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into the overcharge stateillustrated in FIG. 2.

In step S143, after completing the charge operation, the system controlcircuit 50 starts energizing the first curtain coil 5 and the secondcurtain coil 9. The charge lever 10 rotates in the counterclockwisedirection. The first-curtain charge roller 2 c and the second-curtaincharge roller 6 c separate from the camportions 10 b and 10 c of thecharge lever 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3 (i.e., the pre-travel standbystate).

In step S144, the system control circuit 50 successively stopsenergizing the first curtain coil 5 and the second curtain coil 9according to the shutter time of seconds obtained in step S139 or S140,so that the image sensor 14 can be exposed to light from an object. Ifthe shooting operation is completed, the control flow proceeds to stepS146.

If the system control circuit 50 determines that the electronicfirst-curtain shooting mode is set (YES in step S141), the control flowproceeds to step S145.

In step S145, the system control circuit 50 resets the image sensor 14(i.e., the electronic first-curtain). Furthermore, after the shuttertime of seconds obtained in step S139 or S140 has elapsed, the systemcontrol circuit 50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9 to shieldthe image sensor 14 from light. Then, the control flow proceeds to stepS146.

In step S146, the system control circuit 50 stores the energization time“toi” for the second curtain coil 9 in the live view operation into thenonvolatile memory 56 (e.g., EEPROM).

In step S147, the system control circuit 50 sets the mechanical shutter12 into the overcharge state. Then, the processing returns to step S132.As the live view mode is continuously set, the control flow proceeds tostep S133, where the system control circuit 50 performs theabove-described procedure to bring the mechanical shutter 12 into thefirst-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4 andcontinues the live view operation.

If a user turns the power switch 72 off, the system control circuit 50executes a reset operation for deleting the energization time “toi”stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 (e.g., EEPROM).

FIG. 24A illustrates an example camera operation in the live viewshooting mode using the EVF, wherein the abscissa axis represents timet. In this case, at respective shots 1 to 3, the following expressioncan be used for the left side of the determination formula used in stepS137 in FIG. 18:to1  Shot 1to1+to2  Shot 2to1+to2+to3  Shot 3In this case, the deenergization time for the second curtain coil 9 issufficiently short in the live view operation and is negligible.

FIG. 21 is a time diagram illustrating an example voltage controloperation for the first curtain and the second curtain of the mechanicalshutter 12 performed in step S144.

If the switch SW2 of the shutter switch 62 is turned on in the live viewstate (i.e., in the first-curtain travel completion state illustrated inFIG. 4), the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the secondcurtain coil 9 (performs a charge operation). Then, the system controlcircuit 50 starts energizing the first curtain coil 5 and the secondcurtain coil 9 to release the charge lever 10. Thus, the mechanicalshutter 12 is brought into the pre-travel standby state illustrated inFIG. 3.

If the value SUMtoi (i=1 to m) (i.e., the sum of the energization timefor the second curtain coil 9 in the latest “m” live view operations) isequal to or less than the predetermined threshold “th” (e.g., threshold“th”≦30 sec), the system control circuit 50 performs the followingcontrol. Namely, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing thefirst curtain coil 5 when a predetermined time (i.e., “shutter operationlag”) has elapsed after turning-on of the switch SW2 (i.e., at the falltiming of a dotted line representing “the first curtain coil” in FIG.21).

Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into the first-curtain travelcompletion state illustrated in FIG. 4. Then, the system control circuit50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9 when the shutter time ofseconds T1 obtained in step S140 has elapsed after stoppage ofenergizing the first curtain coil 5. Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 isbrought into the second-curtain travel completion state illustrated inFIG. 5.

If the value SUMtoi (i=1 to m) (i.e., the sum of the energization timefor the second curtain coil 9 in the latest “m” live view operations) isgreater than the predetermined threshold “th”, the system controlcircuit 50 performs the following control. Namely, the system controlcircuit 50 stops energizing the first curtain coil 5 at timing earlierthan the above-described “shutter operation lag” by an amount (t) (i.e.,at the fall timing of a solid line representing “the first curtain coil”in FIG. 21).

Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into the first-curtain travelcompletion state illustrated in FIG. 4. Then, the system control circuit50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9 when the corrected shuttertime of seconds T1+β(t) obtained in step S139 has elapsed after stoppageof energizing the first curtain coil 5. Thus, the mechanical shutter 12is brought into the second-curtain travel completion state illustratedin FIG. 5.

Next, the system control circuit 50 performs the charge operation torealize the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2. Then, the systemcontrol circuit 50 starts energizing the first curtain coil 5 and thesecond curtain coil 9 to release the charge lever 10 (i.e., thepre-travel standby state illustrated in FIG. 3). After a predeterminedtime has elapsed, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing thefirst curtain coil 5 to bring the mechanical shutter 12 into thefirst-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4. In thisstate, the image sensor 14 captures an image to restart the live viewoperation.

FIG. 22 is a time diagram illustrating an example voltage controloperation for the electronic first-curtain and the mechanicalsecond-curtain performed in step S145. If the switch SW2 of the shutterswitch 62 is turned on in the live view state (i.e., in thefirst-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4), the systemcontrol circuit 50 performs the following operations.

First, if the value SUMtoi (i=1 to m) (i.e., the sum of the energizationtime for the second curtain coil 9 in the latest m (at least one) liveview operations) is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold“th” (e.g., threshold “th”≦30 sec), the system control circuit 50performs the following control. Namely, the system control circuit 50starts pixel reset scanning (travel of the electronic first-curtain) forthe image sensor 14 when a predetermined time (hereafter, referred to as“electronic first-curtain operation lag”) has elapsed after turning-onof the switch SW2 (i.e., at the fall timing of a dotted linerepresenting “the image sensor” in FIG. 22). Then, if the shutter timeof seconds T1 obtained in step S140 has elapsed after starting thetravel of the electronic first-curtain, the system control circuit 50stops energizing the second curtain coil 9. Thus, the mechanical shutter12 is brought into the second-curtain travel completion stateillustrated in FIG. 5.

If the value SUMtoi (i=1 to m) (i.e., the sum of the energization timefor the second curtain coil 9 in the latest m (at least one) live viewoperations) is greater than the predetermined threshold “th” (e.g.,threshold “th”≦30 sec), the system control circuit 50 performs thefollowing control. The system control circuit 50 starts the resetscanning (travel of the electronic first-curtain) for the image sensor14 at timing earlier than the above-described “electronic first-curtainoperation lag” by an amount (t) (i.e., at the fall timing of a solidline representing “the image sensor” in FIG. 22). Then, if the shuttertime of seconds T1+β(t) obtained in step S139 has elapsed after startingthe travel of the electronic first-curtain, the system control circuit50 stops energizing the second curtain coil 9. Thus, the mechanicalshutter 12 is brought into the second-curtain travel completion stateillustrated in FIG. 5.

Next, the system control circuit 50 performs the charge operation torealize the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2. Then, the systemcontrol circuit 50 starts energizing the first curtain coil 5 and thesecond curtain coil 9 to release the charge lever 10 (i.e., thepre-travel standby state illustrated in FIG. 3). After a predeterminedtime has elapsed, the system control circuit stops energizing the firstcurtain coil 5 to bring the mechanical shutter 12 into the first-curtaintravel completion state illustrated in FIG. 4. In this state, the imagesensor 14 captures an image to restart the live view operation.

[Example Operation of Mechanical Shutter in Shooting Operation FollowingLive View State]

Next, an example operation for the mechanical shutter 12 in a shootingoperation following the live view state using the EVF (i.e., in the liveview cancelled state) is described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5,19, 24A, and 24B. FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating example processingfor controlling the mechanical shutter 12 in the live view cancelledstate following the live view state.

In step S151, the system control circuit 50 sets the mechanical shutter12 into the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2.

In step S152, the system control circuit 50 determines whether a userpresses the live view mode button (one of the buttons provided on theoperation unit 70), i.e., determines whether the live view mode is set.If the system control circuit 50 determines that the live view mode isnot set (NO in step S152), the system control circuit 50 repeats thedetermination processing with respect to the live view mode button. Ifthe system control circuit 50 determines that the live view mode is set(YES in step S152), the control flow proceeds to step S153.

In step S153, the system control circuit 50 causes the quick returnmirror 130 to rotate upward and starts energizing the first curtain coil5 and the second curtain coil 9.

In step S154, the system control circuit 50 instructs the timer 58 tostart counting the energization time “toi” for the second curtain coil9. The charge lever 10 rotates in the counterclockwise direction. Thefirst-curtain charge roller 2 c and the second-curtain charge roller 6 cseparate from the cam portions 10 b and 10 c of the charge lever 10 asillustrated in FIG. 3 (i.e., the pre-travel standby state).

In step S155, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the firstcurtain coil 5 to cause only the first curtain to travel. The mechanicalshutter 12 is brought into the first-curtain travel completion stateillustrated in FIG. 4, where the image sensor 14 can receive light froman object. In this state, the image sensor 14 performs capturing of animage and starts a live view operation. During the live view operation,the system control circuit 50 continues energizing the second curtaincoil 9 to magnetically lock the second curtain.

In step S156, the system control circuit 50 determines whether anoperation member of the operation unit 70 is operated. If the systemcontrol circuit 50 determines that the operation member of the operationunit 70 is not operated (NO in step S156), the system control circuit 50continues the live view operation. If the system control circuit 50determines that the operation member of the operation unit 70 isoperated (YES in step S156), the control flow proceeds to step S157.

In step S157, the system control circuit 50 stops energizing the secondcurtain coil 9 to cause the second curtain to travel (i.e., thesecond-curtain travel completion state illustrated in FIG. 5).

Next, in step S158, the system control circuit 50 instructs the timer 58to stop counting the energization time “toi” for the second curtain coil9.

In step S159, the system control circuit 50 performs the chargeoperation to realize the overcharge state illustrated in FIG. 2.

In step S160, the system control circuit 50 stores the energization time“toi” during execution of the live view operation into the nonvolatilememory 56 (e.g., EEPROM).

In step S161, the system control circuit 50 instructs the timer 58 tostart counting an elapsed time “tcj” after stopping energizing thesecond curtain coil 9.

In step S162, the system control circuit 50 determines whether theshutter switch 62 is pressed in the overcharge state, (i.e., determineswhether the switch SW2 is turned on). If a user does not press theswitch SW2 (NO in step S162), the system control circuit 50 repeats thedetermination processing with respect to the shutter switch 62 in stepS162. If the switch SW2 is turned on, the control flow proceeds to stepS163.

In step S163, the system control circuit 50 performs the followingprocessing. First, the system control circuit 50 obtains a sum SUMtoi(i=1 to m) of the energization time for the second curtain coil 9 in thelatest m (at least one) shooting operations. In this case, “tom” (i.e.,i=m) represents an estimated energization time for the second curtaincoil 9 in the present shooting operation, which is equal to the shuttertime of seconds T1.

Next, the system control circuit 50 obtains a sum SUMtcj (j=1 to m−1) ofelapsed time which represents a period of time having elapsed before thesystem control circuit 50 restarts energizing the second curtain coil 9for the next shooting operation after completing the latest m−1 (atleast one) shooting operations (i.e., from the timing the system controlcircuit 50 once stops energizing the second curtain coil 9).

Then, the system control circuit 50 calculates a differenceSUMtoi−SUMtcj (i=1 to m and j=1 to m−1) between two sums. The systemcontrol circuit 50 determines whether the difference SUMtoi−SUMtcj isgreater than a predetermined threshold “th” (e.g., 30 sec). If thesystem control circuit 50 determines that the difference SUMtoi−SUMtcjis greater than the predetermined threshold “th” (YES in step S163), thecontrol flow proceeds to step S164. In step S164, the system controlcircuit 50 calculates a correction time α(t).

In step S165, the system control circuit 50 adds the correction timeα(t) to an exposure time (i.e., shutter time of seconds) T1 that is setbased on a photometric result obtained by the photometry control unit46. In other words, the system control circuit 50 obtains a correctedshutter time of seconds T1+α(t). Namely, the system control circuit 50can function as exposure time adjustment unit. In this embodiment, thesystem control circuit 50 calculates the correction time α(t) based onan energization time “to” and an elapsed time “tc” according to thefollowing functional equation (a correction function).α(t)=C1(A(SUMtoi ³)+B(SUMtoi ²)+C(SUMtoi)+D)−C2 Ln(SUMtcj)where i=1 to m and j=1 to m−1, while A, B, C, D, C1, and C2 are timecorrection coefficients.

If the system control circuit 50 determines that the differenceSUMtoi−SUMtcj (i=1 to m and j=1 to m−1) is equal to or less than thepredetermined threshold “th” (NO in step S163), the control flowproceeds to step S166. In step S166, the system control circuit 50 doesnot correct (i.e., directly uses) the shutter time of seconds T1.

It is desirable that the threshold “th” for the difference SUMtoi−SUMtcjbetween the energization time and the elapsed time is a value determinedconsidering the temperature increase in the second curtain coil 9, whichhas an effect on the shutter accuracy.

Then, in step S167, the system control circuit 50 successively stopsenergizing the first curtain coil 5 and the second curtain coil 9according to the shutter time of seconds obtained in step S165 or S166,so that the image sensor 14 can be exposed to light from an object. If auser completes the shooting operation, the system control circuit 50causes the charge lever 10 to rotate in the clockwise direction whilethe cam portions 10 b and 10 c press the first-curtain charge roller 2 cand the second-curtain charge roller 6 c (i.e., performs the chargeoperation). Thus, the mechanical shutter 12 is brought into theovercharge state illustrated in FIG. 2 (step S151).

If in step S161 the elapsed time “tcj” is greater than a predeterminedtime “tcmax” (e.g., 30 min), the system control circuit 50 executes areset operation for deleting the energization time “toi” and the elapsedtime “tcj” stored in the nonvolatile memory 56 (e.g., EEPROM).Similarly, if a user turns the power switch 72 off, the system controlcircuit 50 executes a reset operation for deleting the energization time“toi” and the elapsed time “tcj” stored in the nonvolatile memory 56(e.g., EEPROM).

FIG. 24B illustrates an example camera operation in a live view modeusing the EVF and in a succeeding shooting mode using the optical finderin a live view canceled state, wherein the abscissa axis represents timet. In this case, at respective shots 1 to 3, the following expressioncan be used for the left side of the determination formula used in stepS163 in FIG. 19:to1  Shot 1to1+to2+to3−tc1  Shot 2to1+to2+to3+to4−(tc1+tc2)  Shot 3In this case, the deenergization time for the second curtain coil 9 issufficiently short in the live view operation and is negligible.

FIG. 25 illustrates the temperature of the second curtain coil 9 thatchanges according to the energization time “to” for the second curtaincoil 9 and the elapsed time tc (i.e., a time interval from stoppage torestart of energizing the second curtain coil 9).

In FIG. 25, the abscissa axis represents time t [s] after starting thelive view operation and the ordinate axis represents the temperature ofthe second curtain coil 9 [° C.]. The temperature of the second curtaincoil 9 increases according to the energization time “to” for the secondcurtain coil 9, like a third-order function. On the other hand, thetemperature of the second curtain coil 9 decreases logarithmicallyaccording to the elapsed time tc (i.e., a time interval fromcancellation of the live view operation to restart of energizing thesecond curtain coil 9).

FIG. 26 illustrates the correction amount for the shutter time ofseconds that changes according to the energization time “to” of thesecond curtain coil 9 and the elapsed time tc (i.e., a time intervalfrom stoppage to restart of energizing the second curtain coil 9).

In FIG. 26, the abscissa axis represents energization time “to” for thesecond curtain coil 9 or time difference “to−tc” between theenergization time “to” for the second curtain coil 9 and the elapsedtime “tc” (i.e., time interval from stop to restart of energizing thesecond curtain coil 9). The ordinate axis represents the correctionamount β(t) or α((t) for the shutter time of seconds. Furthermore, thesolid line indicates the correction amount for the shutter time ofseconds during execution of the live view operation. The dotted lineindicates the correction amount for the shutter time of seconds in thelive view cancelled state.

During execution of the live view operation (solid line in FIG. 26), ifthe time “to” or the time difference “to−tc” is equal to or less thanthe threshold “th”, the correction amount (t) or α(t) for the shuttertime is set to 0. On the other hand, if the time “to” or the timedifference “to−tc” is greater than the threshold th, the correctionamount (t) or α(t) for the shutter time increases according to the time“to” or the time difference “to−tc”, like a third-order function.

In the live view cancelled state (dotted line in FIG. 26), if the time“to” or the time difference “to−tc” is greater than the threshold th,the correction amount (t) or α(t) for the shutter time decreaseslogarithmically according to the time “to” or the time difference“to−tc.” On the other hand, if the time “to” or the time difference“to−tc” is equal to or less than the threshold “th”, the correctionamount β(t) or α(t) for the shutter time is set to 0.

According to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 25 and 26, the live viewoperation is performed continuously without any interruption and is notrestarted if it is cancelled (i.e., after stopping energizing the secondcurtain).

If the live view operation (or shooting operation) continues for a longtime, the temperature of the second curtain coil 9 increases and theelectric resistance of the second curtain coil 9 increasescorrespondingly, as illustrated in FIG. 25. If the resistance increases,the current flowing through the second curtain coil 9 decreases. Thesecond curtain armature 7 and the second curtain yoke 8 separate fromeach other at earlier timing (with a short time lag). On the other hand,electric power is not supplied to the first curtain coil 5. Therefore,the temperature of the first curtain coil 5 does not increase. Thetiming the first curtain armature 3 and the first curtain yoke 4separate from each other (i.e., time lag) does not change if the ambienttemperature is constant. Therefore, the actual exposure time becomesshorter.

Hence, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 to 19, the system control circuit 50determines the correction amounts α(t) and β(t) for the shutter controltime (i.e., shutter operation lag) according to the energization time“to” for the second curtain coil 9 and the elapsed time “tc” (i.e., timeinterval from stop to restart of energizing the second curtain coil 9).

The correction amounts α(t) and β(t) for the shutter control time (i.e.,shutter operation lag) can be expressed as a correction function that isdefined by the energization time “to” and the elapsed time “tc”considering the temperature increase in the second curtain coil 9.Therefore, the system control circuit 50 using the value defined by thecorrection function can perform an accurate exposure control operationusing the timer 58 (without providing a thermometer in the vicinity ofthe second curtain coil 9) even after completing the live viewoperation, in which the shutter opens for a long time.

Other Exemplary Embodiments

Furthermore, as described above, an exemplary embodiment uses thepredetermined threshold “th” for the difference SUMtoi−SUMtcj (i=1 to mand j=1 to m−1) between the energization time and the elapsed time.Thus, the system control circuit 50 can appropriately determine thenecessity of the shutter operation lag correction even after completingintermittent live view operations and intermittent shooting operations.

Moreover, in an exemplary embodiment, the correction amounts α(t) andβ(t) for the shutter control time (i.e., shutter operation lag) can beexpressed as a correction function that is defined by the SUMtoi (i=1 tom) (i.e., a sum of the energization time) and the SUMtcj (j=1 to m−1)(i.e., a sum of the elapsed time). Thus, the system control circuit 50can perform an accurate exposure control operation even after completingintermittent live view operations and intermittent shooting operations.

An exemplary embodiment performs an exposure time correction byperforming correction for the shutter control time (i.e., shutteroperation lag). However, according to another embodiment, if an image iscaptured without changing the shutter control time (i.e., shutteroperation lag), the system control circuit 50 (i.e., gain adjustmentunit) can adjust a gain value used in the image processing circuit 20(in the development process) by an amount corresponding to a correctionamount for the shutter control time.

Furthermore, in the above-described exemplary embodiment, the mechanicalshutter 12 includes both the first curtain and the second curtain whileusage of the mechanical first-curtain and usage of the electronicfirst-curtain are selectable. The present invention is not limited tothe above-described embodiment. In an exemplary embodiment, themechanical shutter 12 can include only the second curtain and canconstantly use the electronic first-curtain.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all modifications, equivalent structures, and functions.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2007-110834 filed Apr. 19, 2007, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1. An imaging apparatus comprising: an image sensor configured tocapture an image of an object; a mechanical shutter including a secondcurtain and a second-curtain holding mechanism configured toelectromagnetically hold the second curtain at an initial position priorto a travel; a first temperature sensor disposed within a predeterminedrange from the second-curtain holding mechanism and configured tomeasure temperature; a second temperature sensor disposed outside thepredetermined range from the second-curtain holding mechanism andconfigured to measure temperature; an adjustment unit configured toadjust time which is between a point starting an exposure of the imagesensor and until releasing a power distribution to the second-curtainholding mechanism, if a temperature difference between temperaturesdetected by the first temperature sensor and the second temperaturesensor is greater than a predetermined threshold, wherein the time isbased on a brightness of the object; and an exposure control unitconfigured to perform exposure control for the image sensor based on thetime adjusted by the adjustment unit if the temperature difference isgreater than the predetermined threshold.
 2. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the mechanical shutter further includes afirst curtain and a first-curtain holding mechanism configured toelectromagnetically hold the first curtain at an initial position priorto a travel, and wherein the exposure control unit performs exposurecontrol for the image sensor by starting the exposure of the imagesensor by traveling the first curtain and completing the exposure of theimage sensor by traveling the second curtain.
 3. The imaging apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the second temperature sensor ispositioned within a predetermined range from the first-curtain holdingmechanism.
 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein theexposure control unit performs exposure control for the image sensor bycontrolling resetting the image sensor and starting the exposure of theimage sensor and completing the exposure of the image sensor bytraveling the second curtain.
 5. The imaging apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the temperature difference is a temperature differencebetween a temperature detected by the second temperature sensor duringan electronic first-curtain adjustment for the image sensor and atemperature detected by the first temperature sensor when a shootingoperation is instructed.
 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the adjustment unit increases the time as greater as thetemperature difference is, if the temperature difference is greater thanthe predetermined threshold.
 7. An imaging apparatus comprising: animage sensor configured to capture an image of an object to generate anelectric signal; a mechanical shutter including a second curtain and asecond-curtain holding mechanism configured to electromagnetically holdthe second curtain at an initial position prior to a travel; a firsttemperature sensor disposed within a predetermined range from thesecond-curtain holding mechanism and configured to measure temperature;a second temperature sensor disposed outside the predetermined rangefrom the second-curtain holding mechanism and configured to measuretemperature; an image processing circuit configured to perform a gaincorrection using a predetermined gain value for the electric signalgenerated by the image sensor; and an adjustment unit configured toadjust the gain value used in the image processing circuit according toa temperature difference between temperatures detected by the firsttemperature sensor and the second temperature sensor if the temperaturedifference is greater than a predetermined threshold.
 8. The imagingapparatus according to claim 7, wherein the mechanical shutter furtherincludes a first curtain and a first-curtain holding mechanismconfigured to electromagnetically hold the first curtain at an initialposition prior to a travel, and wherein the second temperature sensor ispositioned within a predetermined range from the first-curtain holdingmechanism.
 9. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, whereinfurther comprising an exposure control unit configured to performexposure control for the image sensor by controlling reset timing of theimage sensor and travel timing of the second curtain, and wherein thetemperature difference is a temperature difference between a temperaturedetected by the second temperature sensor during an electronicfirst-curtain adjustment for the image sensor and a temperature detectedby the first temperature sensor when a shooting operation is instructed.10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the adjustmentunit increases the gain value as greater as the temperature differenceis, if the temperature difference is greater than the predeterminedthreshold.
 11. A method for controlling an imaging apparatus includingan image sensor configured to capture an image of an object, amechanical shutter including a second curtain and a second-curtainholding mechanism configured to electromagnetically hold the secondcurtain at an initial position prior to a travel, a first temperaturesensor disposed within a predetermined range from the second-curtainholding mechanism and configured to measure temperature, and a secondtemperature sensor disposed outside the predetermined range from thesecond-curtain holding mechanism and configured to measure temperature,the method comprising: adjusting time which is between a point startingan exposure of the image sensor and until releasing a power distributionto the second-curtain holding mechanism, if a temperature differencebetween temperatures detected by the first temperature sensor and thesecond temperature sensor is greater than a predetermined threshold,wherein the time is based on a brightness of the object; and performingexposure control for the image sensor based on the adjusted time if thetemperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold. 12.A method for controlling an imaging apparatus including an image sensorconfigured to capture an image of an object to generate an electricsignal, a mechanical shutter including a second curtain and asecond-curtain holding mechanism configured to electromagnetically holdthe second curtain at an initial position prior to a travel, a firsttemperature sensor disposed within a predetermined range from thesecond-curtain holding mechanism and configured to measure temperature,and a second temperature sensor disposed outside the predetermined rangefrom the second-curtain holding mechanism and configured to measuretemperature, the method comprising: performing a gain correction using apredetermined gain value for the electric signal generated by the imagesensor; and adjusting the gain value to be used for gain correctionaccording to a temperature difference between temperatures detected bythe first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor if thetemperature difference is greater than a predetermined threshold.
 13. Animaging apparatus comprising: an image sensor configured to capture animage of an object; a mechanical shutter including a curtain and acurtain holding mechanism configured to electromagnetically hold thecurtain at an initial position prior to a travel; a first temperaturesensor disposed within a predetermined range from the curtain holdingmechanism and configured to measure temperature; a second temperaturesensor disposed outside the predetermined range from the curtain holdingmechanism and configured to measure temperature; an adjustment unitconfigured to adjust time which is between a point starting an exposureof the image sensor and until releasing a power distribution to thecurtain holding mechanism, if a temperature difference betweentemperatures detected by the first temperature sensor and the secondtemperature sensor is greater than a predetermined threshold, whereinthe time is based on a brightness of the object; and an exposure controlunit configured to perform exposure control for the image sensor basedon the time adjusted by the adjustment unit if the temperaturedifference is greater than the predetermined threshold.
 14. The imagingapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the exposure control unitperforms exposure control for the image sensor by controlling resettingthe image sensor and starting the exposure of the image sensor andcompleting the exposure of the image sensor by traveling the curtain.15. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the temperaturedifference is a temperature difference between a temperature detected bythe second temperature sensor during an electronic curtain adjustmentfor the image sensor and a temperature detected by the first temperaturesensor when a shooting operation is instructed.
 16. The imagingapparatus according to claim 13, wherein the adjustment unit increasesthe time as greater as the temperature difference is, if the temperaturedifference is greater than the predetermined threshold.
 17. An imagingapparatus comprising: an image sensor configured to capture an image ofan object to generate an electric signal; a mechanical shutter includinga curtain and a curtain holding mechanism configured toelectromagnetically hold the curtain at an initial position prior to atravel; a first temperature sensor disposed within a predetermined rangefrom the curtain holding mechanism and configured to measuretemperature; a second temperature sensor disposed outside thepredetermined range from the curtain holding mechanism and configured tomeasure temperature; an image processing circuit configured to perform again correction using a predetermined gain value for the electric signalgenerated by the image sensor; and an adjustment unit configured toadjust the gain value used in the image processing circuit according toa temperature difference between temperatures detected by the firsttemperature sensor and the second temperature sensor if the temperaturedifference is greater than a predetermined threshold.
 18. The imagingapparatus according to claim 17, further comprising an exposure controlunit configured to perform exposure control for the image sensor bycontrolling reset timing of the image sensor and travel timing of thecurtain, and wherein the temperature difference is a temperaturedifference between a temperature detected by the second temperaturesensor during an electronic curtain adjustment for the image sensor anda temperature detected by the first temperature sensor when a shootingoperation is instructed.
 19. The imaging apparatus according to claim17, wherein the adjustment unit increases the gain value as greater asthe temperature difference is, if the temperature difference is greaterthan the predetermined threshold.
 20. A method for controlling animaging apparatus including an image sensor configured to capture animage of an object, a mechanical shutter including a curtain and acurtain holding mechanism configured to electromagnetically hold thecurtain at an initial position prior to a travel, a first temperaturesensor disposed within a predetermined range from the curtain holdingmechanism and configured to measure temperature, and a secondtemperature sensor disposed outside the predetermined range from thecurtain holding mechanism and configured to measure temperature, themethod comprising: adjusting time which is between a point starting anexposure of the image sensor and until releasing a power distribution tothe curtain holding mechanism, if a temperature difference betweentemperatures detected by the first temperature sensor and the secondtemperature sensor is greater than a predetermined threshold, whereinthe time is based on a brightness of the object; and performing exposurecontrol for the image sensor based on the adjusted time if thetemperature difference is greater than the predetermined threshold. 21.A method for controlling an imaging apparatus including an image sensorconfigured to capture an image of an object to generate an electricsignal, a mechanical shutter including a curtain and a curtain holdingmechanism configured to electromagnetically hold the curtain at aninitial position prior to a travel, a first temperature sensor disposedwithin a predetermined range from the curtain holding mechanism andconfigured to measure temperature, and a second temperature sensordisposed outside the predetermined range from the curtain holdingmechanism and configured to measure temperature, the method comprising:performing a gain correction using a predetermined gain value for theelectric signal generated by the image sensor; and adjusting the gainvalue to be used for gain correction according to a temperaturedifference between temperatures detected by the first temperature sensorand the second temperature sensor if the temperature difference isgreater than a predetermined threshold.